Vet Tech salary

Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Nebraska: $47,058 (2026)

Quick Answer:Across Nebraska's 13 metropolitan areas, the average median veterinary technologist and technician pay sits at $47,058/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2056. Because Nebraska sits at BEA RPP 91.5 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $51,430 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Lincoln ($45,750), Omaha ($44,970), Grand Island ($42,317).

Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Nebraska - 2025 BLS Data Infographic
Nebraska veterinary technologist and technician salary overview (2026)
$47,058
Avg Median Salary
$22.62
Avg Hourly Rate
446
Metro Employed
13
Cities

In Nebraska, veterinary technologists and technicians can expect an average median salary of $47,058 in 2026, which is about 5.9% lower than the national median of $49,986. The highest paying city in the state is Lincoln, where salaries are projected at $48,266, while North Platte offers the lowest average salary at $42,530. This $5,736 difference can be attributed to various factors including the cost of living, local demand for veterinary services, and the concentration of veterinary practices in urban areas compared to more rural locations. Nebraska requires veterinary technicians to be licensed, which can impact earnings by ensuring a certain level of professionalism and expertise within the field. Additionally, the state's scope of practice laws may influence job roles and responsibilities, sometimes leading to higher salaries in areas with greater demand for specialized veterinary services. Currently, there are 446 individuals employed as veterinary technologists and technicians in Nebraska, and the job market is projected to grow steadily at an annual rate of 5.50%, indicating a positive outlook for those entering the field. Cities like Omaha, Grand Island, Hastings, and Fremont also offer competitive salaries, ranging from $44,382 to $47,443, contributing to a variety of career opportunities across the state.

Nebraska Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary Range

Entry Level (10th %ile)
$39,703
avg across 13 cities
Median
$47,058
state average
Top Earners (90th %ile)
$61,202
avg across 13 cities

Overall salary range in Nebraska: $32,847 (lowest entry-level) to $62,952 (highest top earner)

Nebraska vs National Average

Nebraska
$47,058
National Median
$49,986

Nebraska veterinary technologists and technicians earn 5.86% less than the national median ($-2,928/year difference).

Nebraska Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary Distribution (2026)

Vertical bar chart showing Nebraska veterinary technologist and technician salary percentiles: 10th percentile $39,703, 25th $43,089, Median $47,058, 75th $54,812, 90th $61,202. US national median is $49,986.$17.1K$34.3K$51.4K$68.5K$39.7K10thEntry Level$43.1K25thEarly Career$47.1KMedianMid Career$54.8K75thExperienced$61.2K90thTop EarnerUS Median $50.0K

Veterinary Technologist and Technician salaries in Nebraska range from $39,703 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $61,202 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $47,058. The Nebraska median is $2,928 below the US national median of $49,986. The average hourly rate is $22.62/hr. Approximately 446 veterinary technologist and technicians are employed across 13 cities.

2019 BLS Actual

$35,967

2025 BLS Actual

$44,605

2026 Current Est.

$47,058

2019–2027 Growth

+38.0%

Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Nebraska (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 Nebraska. Baseline $35,967 in 2025, projected to $49,646 by 2027.$33.2K$38.0K$42.8K$47.6K$52.4K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$36.0K$37.1K$37.7K$37.3K$40.9K$42.1K$44.6K$47.1K$49.6K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$35,967Actual
2020$37,056Actual
2021$37,748Actual
2022$37,283Actual
2023$40,903Actual
2024$42,068Actual
2025$44,605Actual
2026(current)$47,058Estimated
2027$49,646Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Nebraska metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 24.0% from $35,967 (2019) to $44,605 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,646 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,679 (38.03%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Nebraska 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.

Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Nebraska

#1
Lincoln
130 employed · $23.21/hr
$48,266
+2.57% vs avg
#2
Omaha
240 employed · $22.81/hr
$47,443
+0.82% vs avg
#3
Grand Island
14 employed · $21.46/hr
$44,644
-5.13% vs avg
#4
Hastings
5 employed · $21.45/hr
$44,622
-5.18% vs avg
#5
Fremont
4 employed · $21.34/hr
$44,382
-5.69% vs avg

Lowest Paying Cities in Nebraska

CityMedian Salary
North Platte$42,530
Papillion$42,544
La Vista$42,589
Norfolk$42,596
Columbus$42,710

Best Value Cities for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Nebraska

When adjusted for local cost of living, these Nebraska cities offer the most purchasing power for veterinary technologists and technicians.

CityNominal SalaryCoL IndexAdjusted Salary
Lincoln$48,26691.581$52,703
Omaha$47,44391.911$51,618
Grand Island$44,64491.5$48,791
Hastings$44,62291.5$48,767
Fremont$44,38291.5$48,505

Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.

Salary by Experience Level in Nebraska

Experience LevelEstimated Annual
Entry Level (0-2 years)$39,703
Mid Career (3-7 years)$47,058
Experienced (7+ years)$61,202

Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Nebraska metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

All 13 Cities in Nebraska

#CityMedian Salary
1Lincoln$48,266
2Omaha$47,443
3Grand Island$44,644
4Hastings$44,622
5Fremont$44,382
6Bellevue$44,289
7Kearney$44,044
8Scottsbluff$43,892
9Columbus$42,710
10Norfolk$42,596
11La Vista$42,589
12Papillion$42,544
13North Platte$42,530

More Nebraska Salary Data

Hourly Rates

Explore veterinary technologist and technician hourly pay in Nebraska cities.

Entry Level

Starting salaries for new veterinary technologists and technicians.

Senior / Experienced

Top earner salaries for experienced veterinary technologists and technicians.

Explore More Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do veterinary technologists and technicians make in Nebraska in 2026?

The average median veterinary technologist and technician salary in Nebraska is $47,058/year across 13 metro areas, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Salaries range from $42,530 in North Platte to $48,266 in Lincoln. This makes Nebraska 5.86% below the national median of $49,986. The state employs approximately 446 veterinary technologists and technicians.

What is the highest paying city for veterinary technologists and technicians in Nebraska?

Lincoln offers the highest veterinary technologist and technician salary in Nebraska at $48,266/year ($23.21/hr), based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). The top 3 highest-paying cities are Lincoln ($48,266), Omaha ($47,443), Grand Island ($44,644). Higher pay in these metros is typically driven by cost of living, demand for veterinary technology services, and competition among employers for licensed veterinary technologists and technicians.

How does Nebraska veterinary technologist and technician pay compare to the national average?

Nebraska's average veterinary technologist and technician salary of $47,058 is 5.86% below the national median of $49,986 in 2026. The state employs approximately 446 veterinary technologists and technicians across 13 metropolitan areas. When comparing salaries, consider cost-of-living differences — a lower nominal salary in an affordable area may provide better purchasing power than a higher salary in an expensive metro.

What is the entry-level veterinary technologist and technician salary in Nebraska?

Entry-level veterinary technologists and technicians (10th percentile) in Nebraska earn approximately $39,703/year on average, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Starting salaries range from $32,847 in lower-paying areas to $40,945 in the highest-paying metros. New graduates should expect salaries at the lower end and can typically reach the area median within 3–5 years of clinical experience.

How many veterinary technologists and technicians are employed in Nebraska?

Nebraska employs approximately 446 veterinary technologists and technicians across 13 metropolitan areas, based on the latest BLS data. The smaller workforce means positions may be less competitive but also fewer in number. Demand continues to grow as the veterinary technology field expands and the population ages.

Which Nebraska city offers the best value for veterinary technologists and technicians?

When adjusted for cost of living, Lincoln offers the highest purchasing power for veterinary technologists and technicians in Nebraska, with an adjusted salary of $52,703 (nominal: $48,266, CoL index: 91.581). This means your dollar goes 9% further compared to the national average, making it an attractive option for maximizing real income.
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

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 Nebraska. State averages are employment-weighted across 13 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

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