Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Lincoln, NE: $48,266 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Lincoln, NE earns a median $48,266/year (≈ $23.21/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Lincoln's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.6), that paycheck buys what $52,703 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.5% above the Nebraska state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinary technologists and technicians in Lincoln, NE, can anticipate a median annual salary of $48,266 in 2026, slightly below the national average of $49,986. This figure reflects a notable, though relatively modest, pay increase over recent years, indicating a 5.50% growth rate. The full salary range for this occupation spans from $40,438 at the 10th percentile to $60,462 at the 90th percentile, suggesting potential for significant earnings depending on experience, specialization, and the type of employer. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, these numbers highlight that those pursuing pathways to Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) credentials, especially in emergency and critical care (ECC) or anesthesia, may enhance their earning potential substantially as these specialties command higher wages in the local job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,438 | $19.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,137 | $20.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,266 | $23.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51,516 | $24.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60,462 | $29.07 |
Median Salary Position
3.44% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lincoln
In Lincoln, NE, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,024 (2026 est.). At $48,266, the local median is 3.44% below the national median of $49,986.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lincoln: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lincoln Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
Lincoln median: $48,266/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lincoln Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $45,750 | +5.50% more |
| National Average | $49,986 | -3.44% less |
Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Lincoln, NE earn a median of $48,266 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.44% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 5.50% above the Nebraska state average of $45,750.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lincoln has a cost of living 8.42% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lincoln, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.581 (below the national average of 100). A veterinary technologist and technician earning $48,266 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $52,703 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.19% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$33,680
2025 BLS Actual
$45,750
2026 Current Est.
$48,266
2019–2027 Growth
+51.2%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Lincoln (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,680 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,880 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,950 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,160 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,240 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,140 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,750 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,266 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,921 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lincoln metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 35.8% from $33,680 (2019) to $45,750 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,921 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,241 (51.19%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lincoln 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) | $40,438 – $42,137 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,137 – $48,266 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,266 – $51,516 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $51,516 – $60,462 |
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 Lincoln
The job market for veterinary technologists and technicians in Lincoln is currently supported by approximately 130 currently employed professionals. A cost-of-living index of 91.581 suggests that, despite lower median salaries compared to the national scheme, the purchasing power for these wages remains relatively favorable. Employers offering higher compensation often include specialty referral hospitals and corporate chain facilities such as VCA and BluePearl, which typically have more structured pay scales. This creates a disparity in earnings that can range significantly within the field. Factors such as specialty certifications, corporate pay tiers, and roles in 24-hour emergency hospitals all drive salary variations. For those focused on maximizing earnings in Lincoln, pursuing VTS credentials, gaining experience in specialty practices, and exploring positions in corporate veterinary services can prove advantageous.
More salary data for Lincoln, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can veterinary technologists and technicians make $100K in Lincoln?
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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 $45,750 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Lincoln 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