Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Papillion, NE: $42,544 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Papillion, NE earns a median $42,544/year (≈ $20.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Papillion's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $46,496 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.0% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the veterinary technologist and technician salary in Papillion, NE, is projected to be $42,544 annually, reflecting a growing demand in the field. With a salary range spanning from $35,331 at the 10th percentile to $53,561 at the 90th percentile, there is potential for upward mobility within this profession. The anticipated growth rate of 5.50% suggests that opportunities for employment in this sector will continue to expand. Those pursuing specialties such as Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) in Emergency and Critical Care (ECC) or Anesthesia can significantly enhance their earning potential, approaching the upper end of this spectrum. Local estimates based on 2025 BLS data and regional cost adjustments indicate that the Papillion job market remains competitive despite slightly lower median earnings compared to the national average.
About the Papillion Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($36,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,331 | $16.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36,595 | $17.60 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $42,544 | $20.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50,516 | $24.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $53,561 | $25.75 |
Median Salary Position
14.89% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Papillion
In Papillion, NE, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $18,230 (2026 est.). At $42,544, the local median is 14.89% below the national median of $49,986.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Papillion: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Papillion Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
Papillion median: $42,544/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Papillion Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $45,746 | -7.00% less |
| National Average | $49,986 | -14.89% less |
Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Papillion, NE earn a median of $42,544 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.89% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 7.00% below the Nebraska state average of $45,746.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Papillion has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Papillion, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A veterinary technologist and technician earning $42,544 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $46,496 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$30,062
2025 BLS Actual
$40,326
2026 Current Est.
$42,544
2019–2027 Growth
+49.3%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Papillion (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30,062 | Actual |
| 2020 | $30,862 | Actual |
| 2021 | $31,364 | Actual |
| 2022 | $32,547 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,228 | Actual |
| 2024 | $30,640 | Actual |
| 2025 | $40,326 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $42,544 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $44,884 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Papillion metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 34.1% from $30,062 (2019) to $40,326 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $44,884 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,822 (49.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Papillion 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) | $35,331 – $36,595 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $36,595 – $42,544 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $42,544 – $50,516 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $50,516 – $53,561 |
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 Papillion
Looking at the job market, Papillion employs five veterinary technologists and technicians, hinting at a niche yet stable position within the local economy. The cost of living index sits at 91.5, meaning that take-home pay translates into better purchasing power compared to many other regions. Employers that tend to offer higher pay include specialty referral hospitals and corporate chain hospitals like VCA and BluePearl, where pay scales can differ considerably from general practice settings. Factors influencing salary variations include the VTS specialty credential, which can command higher wages, and differences in pay scales between corporate employers and small clinics. Those seeking to maximize their pay in Papillion should focus on acquiring specialty credentials or consider roles within specialty or emergency care settings that often provide additional shift differentials and mentor pay opportunities.
More salary data for Papillion, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $40,326 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Papillion 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 Papillion 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