Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Albuquerque, NM: $49,216 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Albuquerque, NM earns a median $49,216/year (≈ $23.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Albuquerque's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.5), that paycheck buys what $51,510 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.3% above the New Mexico state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the veterinary technologist and technician salary in Albuquerque is projected to be $49,216, which places it slightly lower than the national median of $49,986. The local salary range varies considerably, with entry-level positions earning about $36,820, while experienced professionals can command up to $60,842. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, reflects the competitive market influenced heavily by corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl, which often set distinct pay scales. With the anticipated 5.50% annual growth rate in this field, Albuquerque offers a promising outlook for aspiring veterinary professionals looking to enter a workforce that’s seeing increasing demand.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,820 | $17.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,932 | $19.20 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,216 | $23.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51,568 | $24.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60,842 | $29.26 |
Median Salary Position
1.54% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Albuquerque
In Albuquerque, NM, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,022 (2026 est.). At $49,216, the local median is 1.54% below the national median of $49,986.
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How Albuquerque Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
Albuquerque median: $49,216/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Albuquerque Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $47,187 | +4.30% more |
| National Average | $49,986 | -1.54% less |
Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Albuquerque, NM earn a median of $49,216 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.54% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 4.30% above the New Mexico state average of $47,187.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Albuquerque has a cost of living 4.45% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Albuquerque, NM has a cost-of-living index of 95.546 (below the national average of 100). A veterinary technologist and technician earning $49,216 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $51,510 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.66% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$35,400
2025 BLS Actual
$46,650
2026 Current Est.
$49,216
2019–2027 Growth
+46.7%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Albuquerque (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,400 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,530 | Actual |
| 2021 | $35,890 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,740 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,390 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,370 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,650 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,216 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,923 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Albuquerque metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 31.8% from $35,400 (2019) to $46,650 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,923 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,523 (46.68%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Albuquerque 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) | $36,820 – $39,932 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,932 – $49,216 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,216 – $51,568 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $51,568 – $60,842 |
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 Albuquerque
Currently, there are approximately 460 veterinary technologists and technicians working in Albuquerque, NM, contributing to a robust job market for this profession. The cost of living index stands at 95.546, indicating a more affordable environment compared to the national average, which can enhance potential purchasing power for local workers. Corporate chains and specialty referral hospitals tend to offer the highest salaries, particularly for those with the VTS specialty credential, which opens doors to the upper pay tiers often exceeding $30 to $45 per hour. To maximize pay in this area, aspiring veterinary technicians should consider specializing in fields such as emergency and critical care or anesthesia and pursuing leadership roles, as these avenues typically present the greatest financial rewards.
More salary data for Albuquerque, NM:
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 $46,650 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Albuquerque 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