Vet Tech salary

Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Belton, MO: $40,057 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Belton, MO earns a median $40,057/year (≈ $19.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Belton's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.6), that paycheck buys what $44,706 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.5% below the Missouri state average.

$40,057
Median Annual Salary
$19.25/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$30,964
Entry Level (P10)
$49,165
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

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

In Belton, MO, veterinary technologists and technicians can expect a median annual salary of $40,057 by 2026, a figure that trails the national median of $49,986 by nearly 20%. The local salary range varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting around $30,964 and more experienced technicians earning up to $49,165. Salaries reflect adjustments based on regional cost factors as provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). With the growing demand for veterinary professionals and the specialized pathway to Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) certifications, particularly in emergency and critical care (VTS-ECC) and anesthesia, skilled techs in Belton have the opportunity to enhance earning potential substantially in this competitive market.

About the Belton Market

Salary estimated from Missouri average ($34,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$30,964$14.89
Lower Range (P25)$32,782$15.76
Median (P50)(typical)$40,057$19.25
Upper Range (P75)$46,899$22.55
Top Earners (P90)$49,165$23.63

Median Salary Position

$30,964$49,986
City Median: $40,057
National: $49,986
P10–P90 Range

19.86% below the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Belton

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for veterinary technologist and technicians in Belton. The median salary is $40,057, compared to the national median of $49,986.$27.9K$34.0K$40.2K$46.3K$52.5K$31.0K10th Pctl$32.8K25th Pctl$40.1KMedian$46.9K75th Pctl$49.2K90th PctlUS Median$50.0K

In Belton, MO, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $18,201 (2026 est.). At $40,057, the local median is 19.86% 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 Belton metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$770
per week
$3,337
per month
$40,048
per year

At 40 hours/week in Belton: You'd be above the median

How Belton Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares

Belton median: $40,057/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryBelton Pays
Missouri Average$42,389-5.50% less
National Average$49,986-19.86% less
Horizontal bar chart comparing veterinary technologist and technician median salary in Belton ($40,057) with Missouri average ($42,389) and the US national median ($49,986).Belton$40,057Missouri Avg$42,389-5.50%US National$49,986-19.86%

Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Belton, MO earn a median of $40,057 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.86% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 5.50% below the Missouri state average of $42,389.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$40,057
Nominal Salary
89.6
CoL Index
$44,706
Adjusted Salary

Belton has a cost of living 10.40% 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 $40,057. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 89.6, the purchasing-power equivalent is $44,706, a gain of $4,649.$34.0K$39.9K$45.8K$51.6K$57.5K$40,057NominalSalary$44,706CoL Adjusted(CoL: 89.6) 11.61%US Median $50.0K

Belton, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.6 (below the national average of 100). A veterinary technologist and technician earning $40,057 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $44,706 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.61% boost.

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2019 BLS Actual

$28,304

2025 BLS Actual

$37,969

2026 Current Est.

$40,057

2019–2027 Growth

+49.3%

Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Belton (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 Belton. Baseline $28,304 in 2025, projected to $42,260 by 2027.$25.5K$30.4K$35.3K$40.2K$45.1K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$28.3K$29.1K$29.5K$30.6K$35.1K$28.8K$38.0K$40.1K$42.3K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$28,304Actual
2020$29,058Actual
2021$29,531Actual
2022$30,644Actual
2023$35,052Actual
2024$28,802Actual
2025$37,969Actual
2026(current)$40,057Estimated
2027$42,260Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Belton metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 34.1% from $28,304 (2019) to $37,969 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $42,260 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,956 (49.31%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Belton 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)$30,964$32,782
3-5 years (Mid Career)$32,782$40,057
5+ years (Experienced)$40,057$46,899
10+ years (Top Earner)$46,899$49,165

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 Belton

The local job market for veterinary technologists and technicians in Belton is relatively modest, with only six such professionals currently employed. The cost of living index stands at 89.6, indicating that living expenses are below the national average, which can favorably impact take-home pay and disposable income. Among various employers, corporate chain hospitals like VCA and BluePearl tend to offer higher pay scales compared to general practices, driven by differences in operational budgets and the complexity of cases handled. A notable factor influencing the visible pay range is the VTS credential; technicians specializing in emergency care or anesthesia often command higher salaries. Given the competitive demand for skilled technicians, focusing on furthering education, gaining relevant certifications, and exploring job opportunities within corporate or specialty settings can significantly increase compensation prospects in Belton.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do veterinary technologists and technicians make in Belton, MO in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median veterinary technologist and technician salary in Belton is $40,057/year ($19.25/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 5.50% annual growth). Salaries range from $30,964 at entry level (10th percentile) to $49,165 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Belton at 19.9% 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 Belton, MO a good place to work as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Belton veterinary technologist and technician salaries are 19.9% below the national average and 5.5% below the Missouri state average. The metro area employs approximately 6 veterinary technologists and technicians. With a cost-of-living index of 89.6, 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 Belton?

The median veterinary technologist and technician salary in Belton is $40,057, and the 90th percentile earns $49,165. 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 Belton?

After adjusting for Belton's cost-of-living index of 89.6 (where 100 equals the national average), the $40,057 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $44,706 in an average-cost city. This means your dollar goes 11.6% further in Belton 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 Belton?

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Belton earn a median hourly rate of $19.25, which translates to approximately $40,057/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $14.89 for entry-level positions to $23.63 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 $37,969 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Belton 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 Belton 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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