Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in St. Cloud, MN: $49,996 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in St. Cloud, MN earns a median $49,996/year (≈ $24.04/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in St. Cloud's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.6), that paycheck buys what $57,052 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the Minnesota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinary professionals in St. Cloud, Minnesota, can expect a median annual salary of $49,996 in 2026, a figure that aligns closely with the national median of $49,986. The local pay scale, largely influenced by corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl, offers a salary range from $38,149 at the 10th percentile to as high as $60,135 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected to 2026, reflects a competitive job market for veterinary technologists and technicians in the region. As the demand for skilled veterinary staff continues to rise, especially with an ongoing workforce shortage, St. Cloud is positioned as a promising location for those entering or advancing in this vital field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,149 | $18.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,418 | $21.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,996 | $24.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54,143 | $26.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60,135 | $28.91 |
Median Salary Position
0.02% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in St. Cloud
In St. Cloud, MN, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,986 (2026 est.). At $49,996, the local median is 0.02% above the national median of $49,986.
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How St. Cloud Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
St. Cloud median: $49,996/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | St. Cloud Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $51,121 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $49,986 | +0.02% more |
Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in St. Cloud, MN earn a median of $49,996 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.02% higher than the national median of $49,986 and 2.20% below the Minnesota state average of $51,121.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
St. Cloud has a cost of living 12.37% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
St. Cloud, MN has a cost-of-living index of 87.632 (below the national average of 100). A veterinary technologist and technician earning $49,996 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $57,052 in an average-cost city — an effective 14.11% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$29,990
2025 BLS Actual
$47,390
2026 Current Est.
$49,996
2019–2027 Growth
+75.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in St. Cloud (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,990 | Actual |
| 2020 | $32,370 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,440 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,480 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,380 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,810 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,390 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,996 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,746 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the St. Cloud metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 58.0% from $29,990 (2019) to $47,390 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,746 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,756 (75.88%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Cloud 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) | $38,149 – $45,418 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,418 – $49,996 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,996 – $54,143 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $54,143 – $60,135 |
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 St. Cloud
With approximately 100 veterinary technologists and technicians working in the St. Cloud area, the employment landscape remains strong. The cost of living index of 87.632 indicates a lower-than-average cost of living, which can enhance take-home purchasing power for local professionals. Corporate veterinary hospitals, such as VCA and BluePearl, typically pay more than general practice clinics, and specialty referral hospitals often provide significant compensation for those with Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) credentials in areas like emergency care, anesthesia, and internal medicine. The varying pay scales reflect differences in job responsibilities and expertise. To maximize earnings, individuals may consider pursuing VTS certification, which can lead to hourly wages exceeding $30, alongside seeking employment in corporate or specialty settings where pay is generally higher. The ongoing shift in the veterinary market between general and specialized practices ensures that those with advanced skills can achieve competitive compensation in St. Cloud, MN.
More salary data for St. Cloud, MN:
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 $47,390 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the St. Cloud 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