Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Moorhead, MN: $49,179 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Moorhead, MN earns a median $49,179/year (≈ $23.64/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Moorhead's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $49,928 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Minnesota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Achieving a Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) credential in fields like emergency and critical care or anesthesia can unlock substantially higher earnings in Moorhead, Minnesota, where the median annual veterinary technologist and technician salary is projected at $49,179 for 2026. This figure falls slightly below the national median of $49,986, yet the local salary range is favorable, spanning from $39,733 at the 10th percentile to $65,692 at the 90th percentile. Such local salary estimates are derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost considerations. The Moorhead market presents opportunities particularly for those with specialized credentials, reflecting the increasing demand for highly skilled veterinary professionals as the field grapples with workforce shortages.
About the Moorhead Market
Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,733 | $19.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,757 | $20.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,179 | $23.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57,658 | $27.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65,692 | $31.59 |
Median Salary Position
1.61% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Moorhead
In Moorhead, MN, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,959 (2026 est.). At $49,179, the local median is 1.61% below the national median of $49,986.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Moorhead: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Moorhead Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
Moorhead median: $49,179/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Moorhead Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $51,121 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $49,986 | -1.61% less |
Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Moorhead, MN earn a median of $49,179 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.61% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 3.80% below the Minnesota state average of $51,121.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Moorhead 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.
Moorhead, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A veterinary technologist and technician earning $49,179 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $49,928 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$34,750
2025 BLS Actual
$46,615
2026 Current Est.
$49,179
2019–2027 Growth
+49.3%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Moorhead (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34,750 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,675 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,255 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,623 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,034 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,787 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,615 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,179 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,884 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Moorhead metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 34.1% from $34,750 (2019) to $46,615 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,884 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,134 (49.31%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Moorhead 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) | $39,733 – $41,757 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,757 – $49,179 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,179 – $57,658 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $57,658 – $65,692 |
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 Moorhead
With only 11 veterinary technologists and technicians currently employed in Moorhead, this niche market is certainly unique. The cost-of-living index stands at 98.5, indicating that workers in the area enjoy a slightly lower cost of living compared to the national average, which can enhance their take-home purchasing power. Among local employers, corporate chain hospitals such as VCA and BluePearl tend to offer the most competitive salaries, particularly for those who hold VTS credentials. The higher pay observed often stems from differences in practice setting, where specialty hospitals typically provide larger pay scales compared to general practices. To maximize earnings in this market, aspiring technicians should consider obtaining VTS certifications, pursuing mentorship roles, and seeking employment at specialty or emergency clinics, where pay scales are typically more lucrative.
More salary data for Moorhead, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinary technologists and technicians make in Moorhead, MN in 2026?
Is Moorhead, MN a good place to work as a veterinary technologist and technician?
Can veterinary technologists and technicians make $100K in Moorhead?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted veterinary technologist and technician salary in Moorhead?
How much does a veterinary technologist and technician make per hour in Moorhead?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Minnesota
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 $46,615 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Moorhead 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 Moorhead 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