Vet Tech salary

Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Maine: $52,947 (2026)

Quick Answer:Across Maine's 10 metropolitan areas, the average median veterinary technologist and technician pay sits at $52,947/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2056. Because Maine sits at BEA RPP 99.6 (0% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $53,160 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Portland ($50,890), South Portland ($50,672), Lewiston ($49,270).

Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Maine - 2025 BLS Data Infographic
Maine veterinary technologist and technician salary overview (2026)
$52,947
Avg Median Salary
$25.46
Avg Hourly Rate
665
Metro Employed
10
Cities

In Maine, veterinary technologists and technicians are projected to earn an average median salary of $52,946 in 2026, which is 5.9% higher than the national median of $49,986. The city of Portland leads with the highest pay at $53,689, while Brunswick has the lowest at $46,070, showcasing a salary gap of $7,619. This discrepancy can largely be attributed to the cost of living, demand for services, and the concentration of veterinary practices in more urban areas. Maine requires state licensing for veterinary technologists and technicians, which involves passing the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE). This regulation ensures that professionals meet a baseline level of competence, impacting job market dynamics. The demand for veterinary services is driven by the state's pet ownership rates and the growing awareness of animal health, contributing to an annual growth rate of 5.50% in the sector. The total employment for veterinary technologists and technicians in Maine is estimated at 665, indicating a steady market outlook. Other cities projected to offer favorable salaries include South Portland at $53,459, Lewiston at $51,980, Auburn at $51,965, and Bangor at $51,178. The combination of licensure requirements, salary variations across the state, and consistent employment growth presents a solid framework for entering this field in Maine.

Maine Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary Range

Entry Level (10th %ile)
$50,212
avg across 10 cities
Median
$52,947
state average
Top Earners (90th %ile)
$60,829
avg across 10 cities

Overall salary range in Maine: $36,469 (lowest entry-level) to $70,089 (highest top earner)

Maine vs National Average

Maine
$52,947
National Median
$49,986

Maine veterinary technologists and technicians earn 5.92% more than the national median (+$2,961/year difference).

Maine Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary Distribution (2026)

Vertical bar chart showing Maine veterinary technologist and technician salary percentiles: 10th percentile $50,212, 25th $52,253, Median $52,947, 75th $57,646, 90th $60,829. US national median is $49,986.$17.0K$34.1K$51.1K$68.1K$50.2K10thEntry Level$52.3K25thEarly Career$52.9KMedianMid Career$57.6K75thExperienced$60.8K90thTop EarnerUS Median $50.0K

Veterinary Technologist and Technician salaries in Maine range from $50,212 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $60,829 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $52,947. The Maine median is $2,961 above the US national median of $49,986. The average hourly rate is $25.46/hr. Approximately 665 veterinary technologist and technicians are employed across 10 cities.

2019 BLS Actual

$36,928

2025 BLS Actual

$50,186

2026 Current Est.

$52,947

2019–2027 Growth

+51.3%

Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Maine (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for veterinary technologists and technicians in Maine. Baseline $36,928 in 2025, projected to $55,859 by 2027.$31.7K$38.7K$45.8K$52.8K$59.9K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$36.9K$35.7K$37.9K$45.9K$48.5K$49.0K$50.2K$52.9K$55.9K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$36,928Actual
2020$35,692Actual
2021$37,868Actual
2022$45,886Actual
2023$48,477Actual
2024$49,034Actual
2025$50,186Actual
2026(current)$52,947Estimated
2027$55,859Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Maine metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 35.9% from $36,928 (2019) to $50,186 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,859 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,931 (51.26%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Maine metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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.

Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Maine

#1
Portland
490 employed · $25.82/hr
$53,689
+1.40% vs avg
#2
South Portland
4 employed · $25.70/hr
$53,459
+0.97% vs avg
#3
Lewiston
50 employed · $24.99/hr
$51,980
-1.83% vs avg
#4
Auburn
6 employed · $24.98/hr
$51,965
-1.85% vs avg
#5
Bangor
90 employed · $24.60/hr
$51,178
-3.34% vs avg

Lowest Paying Cities in Maine

CityMedian Salary
Brunswick$46,070
Sanford$46,509
Augusta$46,946
Biddeford$47,104
Scarborough$47,500

Best Value Cities for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Maine

When adjusted for local cost of living, these Maine cities offer the most purchasing power for veterinary technologists and technicians.

CityNominal SalaryCoL IndexAdjusted Salary
Lewiston$51,98094.736$54,868
South Portland$53,45999.6$53,674
Bangor$51,17896.508$53,030
Portland$53,689101.858$52,710
Auburn$51,96599.6$52,174

Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.

Salary by Experience Level in Maine

Experience LevelEstimated Annual
Entry Level (0-2 years)$50,212
Mid Career (3-7 years)$52,947
Experienced (7+ years)$60,829

Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Maine metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

All 10 Cities in Maine

#CityMedian Salary
1Portland$53,689
2South Portland$53,459
3Lewiston$51,980
4Auburn$51,965
5Bangor$51,178
6Scarborough$47,500
7Biddeford$47,104
8Augusta$46,946
9Sanford$46,509
10Brunswick$46,070

More Maine Salary Data

Hourly Rates

Explore veterinary technologist and technician hourly pay in Maine cities.

Entry Level

Starting salaries for new veterinary technologists and technicians.

Senior / Experienced

Top earner salaries for experienced veterinary technologists and technicians.

Explore More Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do veterinary technologists and technicians make in Maine in 2026?

The average median veterinary technologist and technician salary in Maine is $52,947/year across 10 metro areas, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Salaries range from $46,070 in Brunswick to $53,689 in Portland. This makes Maine one of the higher-paying states, at 5.92% above the national median of $49,986. The state employs approximately 665 veterinary technologists and technicians.

What is the highest paying city for veterinary technologists and technicians in Maine?

Portland offers the highest veterinary technologist and technician salary in Maine at $53,689/year ($25.82/hr), based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). The top 3 highest-paying cities are Portland ($53,689), South Portland ($53,459), Lewiston ($51,980). Higher pay in these metros is typically driven by cost of living, demand for veterinary technology services, and competition among employers for licensed veterinary technologists and technicians.

How does Maine veterinary technologist and technician pay compare to the national average?

Maine's average veterinary technologist and technician salary of $52,947 is 5.92% above the national median of $49,986 in 2026. The state employs approximately 665 veterinary technologists and technicians across 10 metropolitan areas. When comparing salaries, consider cost-of-living differences — a lower nominal salary in an affordable area may provide better purchasing power than a higher salary in an expensive metro.

What is the entry-level veterinary technologist and technician salary in Maine?

Entry-level veterinary technologists and technicians (10th percentile) in Maine earn approximately $50,212/year on average, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Starting salaries range from $36,469 in lower-paying areas to $52,877 in the highest-paying metros. New graduates should expect salaries at the lower end and can typically reach the area median within 3–5 years of clinical experience.

How many veterinary technologists and technicians are employed in Maine?

Maine employs approximately 665 veterinary technologists and technicians across 10 metropolitan areas, based on the latest BLS data. The smaller workforce means positions may be less competitive but also fewer in number. Demand continues to grow as the veterinary technology field expands and the population ages.

Which Maine city offers the best value for veterinary technologists and technicians?

When adjusted for cost of living, Lewiston offers the highest purchasing power for veterinary technologists and technicians in Maine, with an adjusted salary of $54,868 (nominal: $51,980, CoL index: 94.736). This means your dollar goes 6% further compared to the national average, making it an attractive option for maximizing real income.
JL

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.

Clinically reviewed by Sofia Patel, RVTData verified by Mark Chen, LVT

Methodology & Data Source

Statewide 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. A 5.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 veterinary technologist and technician compensation across Maine. State averages are employment-weighted across 10 metro areas — larger metro areas with more veterinary technologists and technicianscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.

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

Last verified: