Vet Tech salary

Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Austin, MN: $48,365 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Austin, MN earns a median $48,365/year (≈ $23.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Austin's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $49,102 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.4% below the Minnesota state average.

$48,365
Median Annual Salary
$23.25/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$36,109
Entry Level (P10)
$61,475
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

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

With a 2026 median annual salary of $48,365, veterinary technologists and technicians in Austin, MN, can expect to earn competitive pay in a market that reflects both local demand and the growing significance of specialty credentials. The full salary range spans from $36,109 at the lower tenth percentile to $61,475 at the upper ninetieth percentile, illustrating the potential for substantial earnings based on experience and specialization. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price parities, thus providing a more accurate picture of veterinary technologist and technician pay in Austin. As the industry's focus shifts towards advanced care, those who achieve Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) certifications in Emergency and Critical Care (ECC) or anesthesia can command higher salaries, making this a key consideration for professionals seeking to maximize their earning potential in this region.

About the Austin Market

Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$36,109$17.37
Lower Range (P25)$39,026$18.76
Median (P50)(typical)$48,365$23.25
Upper Range (P75)$57,509$27.65
Top Earners (P90)$61,475$29.55

Median Salary Position

$36,109$61,475
City Median: $48,365
National: $49,986
P10–P90 Range

3.24% below the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Austin

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for veterinary technologist and technicians in Austin. The median salary is $48,365, compared to the national median of $49,986.$32.5K$40.5K$48.5K$56.5K$64.5K$36.1K10th Pctl$39.0K25th Pctl$48.4KMedian$57.5K75th Pctl$61.5K90th PctlUS Median$50.0K

In Austin, MN, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,366 (2026 est.). At $48,365, the local median is 3.24% 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 Austin metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$930
per week
$4,030
per month
$48,365
per year

At 40 hours/week in Austin: You'd be in the lower-middle range

How Austin Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares

Austin median: $48,365/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryAustin Pays
Minnesota Average$51,126-5.40% less
National Average$49,986-3.24% less
Horizontal bar chart comparing veterinary technologist and technician median salary in Austin ($48,365) with Minnesota average ($51,126) and the US national median ($49,986).Austin$48,365Minnesota Avg$51,126-5.40%US National$49,986-3.24%

Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Austin, MN earn a median of $48,365 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.24% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 5.40% below the Minnesota state average of $51,126.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$48,365
Nominal Salary
98.5
CoL Index
$49,102
Adjusted Salary

Austin has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.

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

The nominal salary is $48,365. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 98.5, the purchasing-power equivalent is $49,102, a gain of $737.$41.1K$45.2K$49.3K$53.4K$57.5K$48,365NominalSalary$49,102CoL Adjusted(CoL: 98.5) 1.52%US Median $50.0K

Austin, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A veterinary technologist and technician earning $48,365 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $49,102 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.

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2019 BLS Actual

$34,175

2025 BLS Actual

$45,844

2026 Current Est.

$48,365

2019–2027 Growth

+49.3%

Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Austin (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 Austin. Baseline $34,175 in 2025, projected to $51,026 by 2027.$30.8K$36.7K$42.6K$48.5K$54.4K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$34.2K$35.1K$35.7K$37.0K$42.3K$39.1K$45.8K$48.4K$51.0K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$34,175Actual
2020$35,084Actual
2021$35,655Actual
2022$37,000Actual
2023$42,322Actual
2024$39,129Actual
2025$45,844Actual
2026(current)$48,365Estimated
2027$51,026Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Austin metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 34.1% from $34,175 (2019) to $45,844 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,026 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,851 (49.31%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Austin 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)$36,109$39,026
3-5 years (Mid Career)$39,026$48,365
5+ years (Experienced)$48,365$57,509
10+ years (Top Earner)$57,509$61,475

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 Austin

In Austin, the local job market features four veterinary technologists and technicians, indicating a modest but stable employment environment. The cost of living index in Austin stands at 98.5, which suggests that while salaries may be slightly below the national average, the locality's affordable lifestyle helps maintain a reasonable purchasing power. Among the various employers, corporate chain hospitals like VCA and BluePearl generally tend to offer higher salaries compared to general practices, while specialty hospitals, particularly those focusing on surgery or emergency and critical care, typically provide the most competitive compensation packages. Factors that drive the disparity in pay include the demand for VTS specialties, the corporate pay scale differentials, and opportunities for lead or mentor roles, which often include additional financial incentives. For those looking to maximize their earnings, pursuing specialty certifications and aligning with high-paying employers such as specialty referral hospitals or corporate chains can be beneficial strategies in the Austin market.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do veterinary technologists and technicians make in Austin, MN in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median veterinary technologist and technician salary in Austin is $48,365/year ($23.25/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 5.50% annual growth). Salaries range from $36,109 at entry level (10th percentile) to $61,475 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Austin at 3.2% 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 Austin, MN a good place to work as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Austin veterinary technologist and technician salaries are 3.2% below the national average and 5.4% below the Minnesota state average. The metro area employs approximately 4 veterinary technologists and technicians. With a cost-of-living index of 98.5, your salary stretches further here than in higher-cost metros. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

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

The median veterinary technologist and technician salary in Austin is $48,365, and the 90th percentile earns $61,475. 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 Austin?

After adjusting for Austin's cost-of-living index of 98.5 (where 100 equals the national average), the $48,365 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $49,102 in an average-cost city. This means your dollar goes 1.5% further in Austin compared to the national average, making it an attractive location for veterinary technologists and technicians seeking strong real wages.

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

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Austin earn a median hourly rate of $23.25, which translates to approximately $48,365/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $17.37 for entry-level positions to $29.55 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

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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 $45,844 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Austin 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 Austin is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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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