Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in University City, MO: $41,771 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in University City, MO earns a median $41,771/year (≈ $20.09/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in University City's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.6), that paycheck buys what $46,619 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the Missouri state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In University City, Missouri, achieving a Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) credential in fields such as emergency and critical care (ECC) or anesthesia significantly boosts earning potential. With a median annual salary of $41,771, local professionals can anticipate a salary range from $31,974 at the lower percentile (P10) to $52,256 for those at the 90th percentile (P90). These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost factors, reflecting a job market where specialized skills can lead to notable pay increases. The veterinary technologist and technician salary in University City is therefore competitive, especially for those with expected credentials who intend to stand out in a market eager for skilled technicians.
About the University City Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($34,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,974 | $15.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34,188 | $16.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $41,771 | $20.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50,154 | $24.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52,256 | $25.12 |
Median Salary Position
16.43% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in University City
In University City, MO, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,282 (2026 est.). At $41,771, the local median is 16.43% below the national median of $49,986.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in University City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How University City Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
University City median: $41,771/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | University City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $42,364 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $49,986 | -16.43% less |
Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in University City, MO earn a median of $41,771 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.43% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 1.40% below the Missouri state average of $42,364.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
University City 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.
University City, MO has a cost-of-living index of 89.6 (below the national average of 100). A veterinary technologist and technician earning $41,771 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $46,619 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.61% 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
$29,515
2025 BLS Actual
$39,593
2026 Current Est.
$41,771
2019–2027 Growth
+49.3%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in University City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29,515 | Actual |
| 2020 | $30,301 | Actual |
| 2021 | $30,794 | Actual |
| 2022 | $31,955 | Actual |
| 2023 | $36,551 | Actual |
| 2024 | $30,034 | Actual |
| 2025 | $39,593 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41,771 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44,068 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the University City metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 34.1% from $29,515 (2019) to $39,593 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $44,068 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,553 (49.31%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the University City 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) | $31,974 – $34,188 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $34,188 – $41,771 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $41,771 – $50,154 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $50,154 – $52,256 |
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 University City
Despite having only six veterinary technologists and technicians currently employed in University City, the local job market shows promise, particularly given the area’s cost of living index of 89.6, which aligns favorably for take-home pay. Employers in the region, including university teaching hospitals and specialty referral hospitals, often offer the highest salaries. Specialty roles, especially those requiring VTS credentials, command higher hourly rates, with substantial variations depending on the employer type, such as corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl versus general practice settings. This spread in pay is primarily driven by the credential level and whether the position includes responsibilities requiring advanced skills or mentorship roles. For individuals seeking to maximize their veterinary technologist and technician pay in University City, acquiring VTS credentials and considering employment at specialty hospitals or corporate chains could provide significant financial benefits.
More salary data for University City, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinary technologists and technicians make in University City, MO in 2026?
Is University City, MO a good place to work as a veterinary technologist and technician?
Can veterinary technologists and technicians make $100K in University City?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted veterinary technologist and technician salary in University City?
How much does a veterinary technologist and technician make per hour in University City?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Missouri
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 $39,593 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the University City 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 University City 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