Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in St. Louis, MO: $47,327 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in St. Louis, MO earns a median $47,327/year (≈ $22.76/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in St. Louis's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.1), that paycheck buys what $49,772 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.7% above the Missouri state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinary technologists and technicians in St. Louis, Missouri, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $47,327 in 2026, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026. This compensation places local professionals about 5.32% below the national median of $49,986. Salaries range from approximately $36,798 at the 10th percentile to $53,773 at the 90th percentile, reflecting significant variations in pay across different employers and specialties. Major veterinary chains like VCA and BluePearl are notable employers in the area, influencing pay scales and providing consistent opportunities within the local market. With an employment figure of 1,000 veterinary technologists and technicians, St. Louis offers a promising landscape for those considering this field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,798 | $17.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,892 | $19.65 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,327 | $22.76 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49,406 | $23.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53,773 | $25.86 |
Median Salary Position
5.32% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in St. Louis
In St. Louis, MO, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $16,975 (2026 est.). At $47,327, the local median is 5.32% below the national median of $49,986.
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At 40 hours/week in St. Louis: You'd be above the median
How St. Louis Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
St. Louis median: $47,327/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | St. Louis Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $42,370 | +11.70% more |
| National Average | $49,986 | -5.32% less |
Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in St. Louis, MO earn a median of $47,327 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.32% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 11.70% above the Missouri state average of $42,370.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
St. Louis has a cost of living 4.91% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
St. Louis, MO has a cost-of-living index of 95.088 (below the national average of 100). A veterinary technologist and technician earning $47,327 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $49,772 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$35,070
2025 BLS Actual
$44,860
2026 Current Est.
$47,327
2019–2027 Growth
+42.4%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in St. Louis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,070 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,560 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,350 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,760 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,740 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,790 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,860 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,327 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,930 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the St. Louis metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 27.9% from $35,070 (2019) to $44,860 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,930 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,860 (42.37%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Louis 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) | $36,798 – $40,892 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,892 – $47,327 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,327 – $49,406 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $49,406 – $53,773 |
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. Louis
In examining the dynamics of the veterinary technologist and technician pay in St. Louis, it's essential to consider the cost of living, which is indexed at 95.088. This lower-than-average cost can enhance take-home pay and purchasing power for local professionals. While corporate chain hospitals tend to offer competitive salaries, specialty referral hospitals and university teaching hospitals often provide higher compensation, particularly for those with VTS specialty credentials in fields like emergency care or anesthesia. The pay gap within the market can also be explained by factors such as shift differentials at 24-hour emergency facilities and the potential for lead or mentor roles. For those seeking to maximize their earnings in St. Louis, pursuing specialty certification, aligning with corporate pay scales, and considering shifts at high-demand facilities can significantly impact financial outcomes.
More salary data for St. Louis, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinary technologists and technicians make in St. Louis, MO in 2026?
Is St. Louis, MO a good place to work as a veterinary technologist and technician?
Can veterinary technologists and technicians make $100K in St. Louis?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted veterinary technologist and technician salary in St. Louis?
How much does a veterinary technologist and technician make per hour in St. Louis?
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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 $44,860 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the St. Louis 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