Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Grand Rapids, MI: $55,303 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Grand Rapids, MI earns a median $55,303/year (≈ $26.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Grand Rapids's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.5), that paycheck buys what $57,881 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.8% above the Michigan state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Grand Rapids, Michigan, achieving the Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) credential, particularly in areas like emergency and critical care (ECC) or anesthesia, significantly enhances earning potential. With a projected median salary of $55,303 for veterinary technologists and technicians in 2026, professionals in this field can expect a salary range spanning from $40,333 at the lower end to $78,819 at the higher end. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys projected to 2026, indicates not only competitive compensation but also a promising outlook for the local job market. Those holding VTS credentials often command higher wages, reflecting their specialized skills and expertise within Grand Rapids’s veterinary landscape.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,333 | $19.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,469 | $23.78 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,303 | $26.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,390 | $29.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,819 | $37.90 |
Median Salary Position
10.64% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Grand Rapids
In Grand Rapids, MI, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,486 (2026 est.). At $55,303, the local median is 10.64% above the national median of $49,986.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Grand Rapids: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Grand Rapids Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
Grand Rapids median: $55,303/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Grand Rapids Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $52,271 | +5.80% more |
| National Average | $49,986 | +10.64% more |
Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Grand Rapids, MI earn a median of $55,303 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.64% higher than the national median of $49,986 and 5.80% above the Michigan state average of $52,271.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Grand Rapids has a cost of living 4.45% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Grand Rapids, MI has a cost-of-living index of 95.546 (below the national average of 100). A veterinary technologist and technician earning $55,303 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $57,881 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.66% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$32,260
2025 BLS Actual
$52,420
2026 Current Est.
$55,303
2019–2027 Growth
+80.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Grand Rapids (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32,260 | Actual |
| 2020 | $30,470 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,670 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,290 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,550 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,860 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,420 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,303 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,345 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Grand Rapids metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 62.5% from $32,260 (2019) to $52,420 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,345 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,085 (80.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Grand Rapids 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) | $40,333 – $49,469 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,469 – $55,303 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,303 – $61,390 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,390 – $78,819 |
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 Grand Rapids
The job market for veterinary technologists and technicians in Grand Rapids remains robust, with approximately 290 professionals currently employed in this field. Local salaries are further influenced by the region's cost of living index, which stands at 95.546, suggesting that take-home pay stretches further than in many areas. While general practice veterinary clinics contribute a significant number of positions, corporate chain hospitals such as VCA and BluePearl often offer more competitive pay. Specialty facilities, including referral hospitals in areas like surgery and oncology, present another tier of income potential, especially for those with VTS credentials. Variations in compensation are driven by factors like shift differentials at 24-hour emergency hospitals and the added responsibilities of mentorship roles. To maximize salary in this competitive market, technicians should pursue specialty certifications and target employment in high-paying segments like corporate chains and specialty hospitals.
More salary data for Grand Rapids, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $52,420 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Grand Rapids 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