Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Elizabethtown, KY: $43,622 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Elizabethtown, KY earns a median $43,622/year (≈ $20.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Elizabethtown's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $48,849 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% below the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Veterinary technologists and technicians in Elizabethtown, KY, can expect a median annual salary of $43,622 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $49,986, making it a market that is approximately 12.73% less lucrative than the broader landscape. However, the local salary range extends from $32,751 at the 10th percentile to $58,079 at the 90th percentile, providing a spectrum of earning potential that reflects varying levels of experience and specialization. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, and adjusted for regional cost of living factors. For those pursuing pathways toward the Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) credential—particularly in specialties such as emergency and critical care or anesthesia—there is significant added value that can command higher pay scales, contributing positively to the local labor market dynamics.
About the Elizabethtown Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($34,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,751 | $15.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35,232 | $16.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $43,622 | $20.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50,994 | $24.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $58,079 | $27.93 |
Median Salary Position
12.73% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Elizabethtown
In Elizabethtown, KY, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,328 (2026 est.). At $43,622, the local median is 12.73% below the national median of $49,986.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Elizabethtown: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Elizabethtown Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
Elizabethtown median: $43,622/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Elizabethtown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $44,649 | -2.30% less |
| National Average | $49,986 | -12.73% less |
Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Elizabethtown, KY earn a median of $43,622 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.73% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 2.30% below the Kentucky state average of $44,649.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Elizabethtown has a cost of living 10.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Elizabethtown, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A veterinary technologist and technician earning $43,622 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $48,849 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$30,823
2025 BLS Actual
$41,348
2026 Current Est.
$43,622
2019–2027 Growth
+49.3%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Elizabethtown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30,823 | Actual |
| 2020 | $31,644 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,120 | Actual |
| 2022 | $29,050 | Actual |
| 2023 | $31,080 | Actual |
| 2024 | $29,671 | Actual |
| 2025 | $41,348 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43,622 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46,021 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Elizabethtown metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 34.1% from $30,823 (2019) to $41,348 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $46,021 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,198 (49.31%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Elizabethtown metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.50% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $32,751 – $35,232 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $35,232 – $43,622 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $43,622 – $50,994 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $50,994 – $58,079 |
Vet Tech salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinary technologist and technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Job Market in Elizabethtown
As of the latest data, only five veterinary technologists and technicians are employed in Elizabethtown, highlighting a compact job market. With a cost-of-living index at 89.3, practitioners may have a relatively favorable take-home purchasing power in comparison to larger urban areas. Among the various employing institutions in the city, specialized referral hospitals, especially those focusing on emergency and critical care, tend to offer more competitive salaries compared to general practice veterinary clinics. Factors driving the salary range include variance in institutional pay scales from corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl, as well as the added compensation for VTS credential holders and those in leadership positions. To maximize earning potential, aspiring veterinary technologists and technicians should consider pursuing specialty certification, actively seek positions in high-paying specialty facilities, and be open to the opportunities presented by 24-hour emergency settings that often provide shift differentials.
More salary data for Elizabethtown, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinary technologists and technicians make in Elizabethtown, KY in 2026?
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Career Resources
Written by Jordan Lee, CVT
Career Analyst
Jordan has 10 years of experience in veterinary technology. They specialize in emergency care. Jordan has worked in both clinic and hospital settings.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $41,348 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Elizabethtown metropolitan area. A 5.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Elizabethtown is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.50%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for veterinary technologist and technicians (SOC 29-2056).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, CVT, a licensed veterinary technologist and technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov