Vet Tech salary

Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Baltimore, MD: $49,216 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Baltimore, MD earns a median $49,216/year (≈ $23.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Baltimore's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 104.5), that paycheck buys what $47,103 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.9% below the Maryland state average.

$49,216
Median Annual Salary
$23.66/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$39,731
Entry Level (P10)
$78,555
Top Earners (P90)

Official BLS data · View source

Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Baltimore, MD — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Baltimore, MD veterinary technologist and technician salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In Baltimore, Maryland, the projected annual salary for veterinary technologists and technicians in 2026 is set at $49,216, reflecting the competitive market dynamics influenced by corporate chain pay structures such as those from VCA and BluePearl. Professionals in this field can expect earnings ranging from $39,731 at the lower end to $78,555 for those at the higher echelons, according to statistics derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. As the demand for veterinary care continues to rise, so too does the significance of adequate compensation, making Baltimore's veterinary technician salary landscape a focal point for aspiring and current professionals navigating their career paths.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$39,731$19.11
Lower Range (P25)$45,882$22.06
Median (P50)(typical)$49,216$23.66
Upper Range (P75)$62,023$29.81
Top Earners (P90)$78,555$37.77

Median Salary Position

$39,731$78,555
City Median: $49,216
National: $49,986
P10–P90 Range

1.54% below the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Baltimore

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for veterinary technologist and technicians in Baltimore. The median salary is $49,216, compared to the national median of $49,986.$35.8K$47.4K$59.1K$70.8K$82.5K$39.7K10th Pctl$45.9K25th Pctl$49.2KMedian$62.0K75th Pctl$78.6K90th PctlUS Median$50.0K

In Baltimore, MD, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,824 (2026 est.). At $49,216, the local median is 1.54% below the national median of $49,986.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of veterinary technologist and technician pay in the Baltimore metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$947
per week
$4,102
per month
$49,220
per year

At 40 hours/week in Baltimore: You'd be in the entry-level range

How Baltimore Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares

Baltimore median: $49,216/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryBaltimore Pays
Maryland Average$54,623-9.90% less
National Average$49,986-1.54% less
Horizontal bar chart comparing veterinary technologist and technician median salary in Baltimore ($49,216) with Maryland average ($54,623) and the US national median ($49,986).Baltimore$49,216Maryland Avg$54,623-9.90%US National$49,986-1.54%

Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Baltimore, MD earn a median of $49,216 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.54% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 9.90% below the Maryland state average of $54,623.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$49,216
Nominal Salary
104.487
CoL Index
$47,103
Adjusted Salary

Baltimore has a cost of living 4.49% above the national average.

Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $49,216. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 104.487, the purchasing-power equivalent is $47,103, a loss of $2,113.$40.0K$44.4K$48.8K$53.1K$57.5K$49,216NominalSalary$47,103CoL Adjusted(CoL: 104.487) -4.29%US Median $50.0K

Baltimore, MD has a cost-of-living index of 104.487 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $49,216 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $47,103 — a 4.29% reduction.

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2019 BLS Actual

$34,910

2025 BLS Actual

$46,650

2026 Current Est.

$49,216

2019–2027 Growth

+48.7%

Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Baltimore (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 Baltimore. Baseline $34,910 in 2025, projected to $51,923 by 2027.$31.5K$37.5K$43.4K$49.4K$55.3K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$34.9K$35.3K$37.0K$37.9K$39.4K$46.5K$46.6K$49.2K$51.9K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$34,910Actual
2020$35,260Actual
2021$37,050Actual
2022$37,890Actual
2023$39,350Actual
2024$46,480Actual
2025$46,650Actual
2026(current)$49,216Estimated
2027$51,923Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Baltimore metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 33.6% from $34,910 (2019) to $46,650 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,923 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,013 (48.73%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Baltimore 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.

Salary by Experience Level

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$39,731$45,882
3-5 years (Mid Career)$45,882$49,216
5+ years (Experienced)$49,216$62,023
10+ years (Top Earner)$62,023$78,555

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 Baltimore

Currently, approximately 1,160 veterinary technologists and technicians are employed in the Baltimore area, highlighting a robust local job market. The cost-of-living index of 104.487 indicates that while salaries may appear modest when compared to the national median, they must be considered against local expenses, affecting overall purchasing power. Corporate entities such as specialty referral hospitals and veterinary chains typically offer the highest pay rates, particularly for those holding VTS specialty credentials, which can translate to considerably higher wages. The variation in salaries can often be attributed to factors like the setting of employment—general practices versus specialty hospitals—as well as roles in leadership or mentorship, that bring additional pay premiums. For veterinarians and technicians looking to maximize their earning potential in Baltimore, pursuing advanced certifications and seeking employment in specialized settings or corporate practices can be strategic pathways to higher compensation.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do veterinary technologists and technicians make in Baltimore, MD in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median veterinary technologist and technician salary in Baltimore is $49,216/year ($23.66/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 5.50% annual growth). Salaries range from $39,731 at entry level (10th percentile) to $78,555 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Baltimore at 1.5% below the national median. Full-time veterinary technologists and technicians typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Baltimore, MD a good place to work as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Baltimore veterinary technologist and technician salaries are 1.5% below the national average and 9.9% below the Maryland state average. The metro area employs approximately 1,160 veterinary technologists and technicians. With a cost-of-living index of 104.487, you should factor in higher living costs when evaluating compensation. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can veterinary technologists and technicians make $100K in Baltimore?

The median veterinary technologist and technician salary in Baltimore is $49,216, and the 90th percentile earns $78,555. Reaching $100K in this market typically requires a combination of advanced certifications, working at multiple practices, or transitioning into education or consulting roles.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted veterinary technologist and technician salary in Baltimore?

After adjusting for Baltimore's cost-of-living index of 104.487 (where 100 equals the national average), the $49,216 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $47,103 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Baltimore reduce the effective value of your salary by 4.3% compared to the national average — consider negotiating higher base pay or exploring nearby lower-cost metros.

How much does a veterinary technologist and technician make per hour in Baltimore?

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Baltimore earn a median hourly rate of $23.66, which translates to approximately $49,216/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $19.11 for entry-level positions to $37.77 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem veterinary technologists and technicians sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Maryland

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

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 $46,650 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Baltimore 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

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

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