Vet Tech salary

Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Kearny, NJ: $55,707 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Kearny, NJ earns a median $55,707/year (≈ $26.79/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Kearny's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $48,357 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the New Jersey state average.

$55,707
Median Annual Salary
$26.79/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$45,486
Entry Level (P10)
$73,037
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Kearny, NJ — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Kearny, NJ veterinary technologist and technician salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In Kearny, New Jersey, the projected veterinary technologist and technician salary in 2026 averages $55,707 annually, outpacing the national median of $49,986 by approximately 11.45%. This compensation reflects a salary range that spans from $45,486 at the 10th percentile to $73,037 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a clear distinction based on specialty and employer types. Local salary estimates are influenced by factors such as cost-of-living adjustments, with Kearny's index at 115.2, indicating a higher cost of living compared to the national average. The employment landscape features a mix of general practices and specialty hospitals, which significantly affects potential earnings—veterinary technicians in specialty settings typically earn more due to the higher skill requirements and clinical challenges they encounter.

About the Kearny Market

Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($46,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$45,486$21.87
Lower Range (P25)$47,697$22.94
Median (P50)(typical)$55,707$26.79
Upper Range (P75)$65,634$31.56
Top Earners (P90)$73,037$35.11

Median Salary Position

$45,486$73,037
City Median: $55,707
National: $49,986
P10–P90 Range

11.45% above the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kearny

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for veterinary technologist and technicians in Kearny. The median salary is $55,707, compared to the national median of $49,986.$40.9K$49.9K$58.8K$67.8K$76.7K$45.5K10th Pctl$47.7K25th Pctl$55.7KMedian$65.6K75th Pctl$73.0K90th PctlUS Median$50.0K

In Kearny, NJ, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,551 (2026 est.). At $55,707, the local median is 11.45% above the national median of $49,986.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of veterinary technologist and technician pay in the Kearny metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$1,071
per week
$4,643
per month
$55,716
per year

At 40 hours/week in Kearny: You'd be in the lower-middle range

How Kearny Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares

Kearny median: $55,707/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryKearny Pays
New Jersey Average$57,608-3.30% less
National Average$49,986+11.45% more
Horizontal bar chart comparing veterinary technologist and technician median salary in Kearny ($55,707) with New Jersey average ($57,608) and the US national median ($49,986).Kearny$55,707New Jersey Avg$57,608-3.30%US National$49,986+11.45%

Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Kearny, NJ earn a median of $55,707 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.45% higher than the national median of $49,986 and 3.30% below the New Jersey state average of $57,608.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$55,707
Nominal Salary
115.2
CoL Index
$48,357
Adjusted Salary

Kearny has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.

Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $55,707. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 115.2, the purchasing-power equivalent is $48,357, a loss of $7,350.$41.1K$46.8K$52.6K$58.3K$64.1K$55,707NominalSalary$48,357CoL Adjusted(CoL: 115.2) -13.19%US Median $50.0K

Kearny, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $55,707 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $48,357 — a 13.19% reduction.

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2019 BLS Actual

$39,363

2025 BLS Actual

$52,803

2026 Current Est.

$55,707

2019–2027 Growth

+49.3%

Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Kearny (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 Kearny. Baseline $39,363 in 2025, projected to $58,771 by 2027.$35.5K$42.3K$49.1K$55.9K$62.7K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$39.4K$40.4K$41.1K$42.6K$48.7K$51.3K$52.8K$55.7K$58.8K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$39,363Actual
2020$40,410Actual
2021$41,068Actual
2022$42,617Actual
2023$48,746Actual
2024$51,264Actual
2025$52,803Actual
2026(current)$55,707Estimated
2027$58,771Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kearny metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 34.1% from $39,363 (2019) to $52,803 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,771 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,408 (49.31%) from 2019.

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

Salary by Experience Level

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$45,486$47,697
3-5 years (Mid Career)$47,697$55,707
5+ years (Experienced)$55,707$65,634
10+ years (Top Earner)$65,634$73,037

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 Kearny

An analysis of the local job market shows that Kearny employs 11 veterinary technologists and technicians, a small but integral workforce responding to growing demands in the veterinary field. The elevated cost of living at 115.2 suggests that while salaries are competitive, the purchasing power for these professionals may be squeezed. Corporately affiliated hospitals like VCA, BluePearl, and NVA often provide higher pay, particularly for those with specialized certifications. Proficiency in areas such as emergency care or anesthesia boosts earning potential significantly and is a strategic move for technologists seeking to maximize their pay and opportunities. As the workforce shortage continues, those in Kearny may find an increasing demand for skilled technicians, rewarding specialized credentials that align with the urgent needs of local practices and national trends.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do veterinary technologists and technicians make in Kearny, NJ in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median veterinary technologist and technician salary in Kearny is $55,707/year ($26.79/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 5.50% annual growth). Salaries range from $45,486 at entry level (10th percentile) to $73,037 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Kearny at 11.4% above the national median. Full-time veterinary technologists and technicians typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Kearny, NJ a good place to work as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Kearny veterinary technologist and technician salaries are 11.4% above the national average and 3.3% below the New Jersey state average. The metro area employs approximately 11 veterinary technologists and technicians. With a cost-of-living index of 115.2, you should factor in higher living costs when evaluating compensation. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can veterinary technologists and technicians make $100K in Kearny?

The median veterinary technologist and technician salary in Kearny is $55,707, and the 90th percentile earns $73,037. Reaching $100K in this market typically requires a combination of advanced certifications, working at multiple practices, or transitioning into education or consulting roles.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted veterinary technologist and technician salary in Kearny?

After adjusting for Kearny's cost-of-living index of 115.2 (where 100 equals the national average), the $55,707 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $48,357 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Kearny reduce the effective value of your salary by 13.2% compared to the national average — consider negotiating higher base pay or exploring nearby lower-cost metros.

How much does a veterinary technologist and technician make per hour in Kearny?

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Kearny earn a median hourly rate of $26.79, which translates to approximately $55,707/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $21.87 for entry-level positions to $35.11 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem veterinary technologists and technicians sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

Related Pages

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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

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 $52,803 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Kearny 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 Kearny is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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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