Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Arlington, MA: $50,233 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Arlington, MA earns a median $50,233/year (≈ $24.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Arlington's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $46,298 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Achieving the Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) credential in Emergency and Critical Care or anesthesia can significantly enhance earning potential in Arlington, Massachusetts. The 2026 median veterinary technologist and technician salary in Arlington is projected to be $50,233, slightly above the national median of $49,986. Salaries in the area vary, with a range from $38,438 at the 10th percentile to $62,920 at the 90th percentile, allowing for diverse earning opportunities based on experience and specialization. These salary figures are local estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost considerations, indicating that the local job market is competitive and growing in response to the increasing demand for veterinary services.
About the Arlington Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,438 | $18.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,066 | $19.74 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,233 | $24.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60,247 | $28.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62,920 | $30.25 |
Median Salary Position
0.49% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Arlington
In Arlington, MA, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,482 (2026 est.). At $50,233, the local median is 0.49% above the national median of $49,986.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Arlington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Arlington Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
Arlington median: $50,233/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Arlington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $50,998 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $49,986 | +0.49% more |
Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Arlington, MA earn a median of $50,233 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.49% higher than the national median of $49,986 and 1.50% below the Massachusetts state average of $50,998.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Arlington has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Arlington, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $50,233 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $46,298 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$35,494
2025 BLS Actual
$47,614
2026 Current Est.
$50,233
2019–2027 Growth
+49.3%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Arlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,494 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,439 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,032 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,429 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,956 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,441 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,614 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,233 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,996 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arlington metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 34.1% from $35,494 (2019) to $47,614 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,996 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,502 (49.31%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arlington 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) | $38,438 – $41,066 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,066 – $50,233 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,233 – $60,247 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $60,247 – $62,920 |
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 Arlington
Despite the relatively small pool of only 9 veterinary technologists and technicians currently employed in the Arlington area, the job market remains robust. With a cost-of-living index of 108.5, this means that while salaries are competitive, the purchasing power might feel slightly diminished compared to the national average. Corporate chain hospitals, such as VCA and BluePearl, usually offer higher pay scales than general practice clinics, while specialty referral hospitals can command even more due to their focus on complex cases. The disparity in earnings is often driven by factors such as VTS specialties that can lead to higher salaries, corporate pay scales that differ markedly from independent practices, and operational dynamics such as lead roles or night shifts in emergency facilities. For technicians looking to maximize their veterinary technologist and technician pay in Arlington, pursuing specialized certifications, seeking roles in high-revenue environments, and negotiating based on experience can provide significant advantages in a competitive market.
More salary data for Arlington, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can veterinary technologists and technicians make $100K in Arlington?
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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 $47,614 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Arlington 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 Arlington 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