Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Missouri: $46,691 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Missouri's 33 metropolitan areas, the average median veterinary technologist and technician pay sits at $46,691/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2056. Because Missouri sits at BEA RPP 89.6 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $52,110 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Kansas City ($46,260), St. Louis ($44,860), Columbia ($44,810).
In Missouri, veterinary technologists and technicians earn an average median salary of $46,691 in 2026, which is approximately 6.6% lower than the national median of $49,986. The highest-paying city, Kansas City, provides an average of $48,804, while Hannibal has the lowest average at $39,095, reflecting a salary gap of $9,709. This difference may be influenced by factors such as cost of living, local demand for veterinary services, and the size of the facilities in each area. Missouri has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that veterinary technologists and technicians must adhere to, impacting their roles and job prospects. The demand for these professionals is expected to grow, with an annual compound growth rate of 5.50%, indicating a promising job market outlook. The largest employment concentration is in urban areas, with St. Louis at $47,327 and Columbia at $47,275 following Kansas City. Other cities, such as Independence and St. Peters, offer salaries of $43,239 and $42,924, respectively. The overall growth in this field is likely driven by increasing pet ownership and a greater emphasis on animal healthcare, positioning Missouri as a state with opportunities for those entering the veterinary technology profession.
Missouri Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary Range
Overall salary range in Missouri: $30,506 (lowest entry-level) to $64,207 (highest top earner)
Missouri vs National Average
Missouri veterinary technologists and technicians earn 6.59% less than the national median ($-3,295/year difference).
Missouri Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary Distribution (2026)
Veterinary Technologist and Technician salaries in Missouri range from $37,088 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $56,715 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $46,691. The Missouri median is $3,295 below the US national median of $49,986. The average hourly rate is $22.45/hr. Approximately 2,510 veterinary technologist and technicians are employed across 33 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$32,890
2025 BLS Actual
$44,257
2026 Current Est.
$46,691
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Missouri (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32,890 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,849 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,401 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,415 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,583 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,482 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,257 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,691 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,259 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Missouri metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 34.6% from $32,890 (2019) to $44,257 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,259 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,369 (49.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Missouri 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Missouri
Lowest Paying Cities in Missouri
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Hannibal | $39,095 |
| Raymore | $39,223 |
| Branson | $39,373 |
| Belton | $40,057 |
| Wentzville | $40,399 |
Best Value Cities for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Missouri
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Missouri cities offer the most purchasing power for veterinary technologists and technicians.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia | $47,275 | 89.438 | $52,858 |
| Kansas City | $48,804 | 92.543 | $52,737 |
| St. Louis | $47,327 | 95.088 | $49,772 |
| Cape Girardeau | $42,369 | 86.078 | $49,222 |
| Independence | $43,239 | 89.6 | $48,258 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Missouri
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $37,088 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $46,691 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $56,715 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Missouri metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 33 Cities in Missouri
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kansas City | $48,804 |
| 2 | St. Louis | $47,327 |
| 3 | Columbia | $47,275 |
| 4 | Independence | $43,239 |
| 5 | St. Peters | $42,924 |
| 6 | St. Charles | $42,842 |
| 7 | St. Joseph | $42,490 |
| 8 | Cape Girardeau | $42,369 |
| 9 | O'Fallon | $42,346 |
| 10 | Jefferson City | $42,306 |
| 11 | Florissant | $42,125 |
| 12 | Wildwood | $42,032 |
| 13 | Kirkwood | $42,020 |
| 14 | Lee's Summit | $41,996 |
| 15 | Chesterfield | $41,990 |
| 16 | University City | $41,771 |
| 17 | Liberty | $41,754 |
| 18 | Grandview | $41,681 |
| 19 | Maryland Heights | $41,612 |
| 20 | Joplin | $41,229 |
| 21 | Blue Springs | $41,142 |
| 22 | Raytown | $40,896 |
| 23 | Webster Groves | $40,691 |
| 24 | Sedalia | $40,679 |
| 25 | Springfield | $40,649 |
| 26 | Ballwin | $40,606 |
| 27 | Nixa | $40,603 |
| 28 | Gladstone | $40,494 |
| 29 | Wentzville | $40,399 |
| 30 | Belton | $40,057 |
| 31 | Branson | $39,373 |
| 32 | Raymore | $39,223 |
| 33 | Hannibal | $39,095 |
More Missouri Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore veterinary technologist and technician hourly pay in Missouri cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new veterinary technologists and technicians.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced veterinary technologists and technicians.
Compare Cities in Missouri
View all comparisons →Explore More Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinary technologists and technicians make in Missouri in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for veterinary technologists and technicians in Missouri?
How does Missouri veterinary technologist and technician pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level veterinary technologist and technician salary in Missouri?
How many veterinary technologists and technicians are employed in Missouri?
Which Missouri city offers the best value for veterinary technologists and technicians?
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
Statewide 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. A 5.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 veterinary technologist and technician compensation across Missouri. State averages are employment-weighted across 33 metro areas — larger metro areas with more veterinary technologists and technicianscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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