Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Los Lunas, NM: $43,857 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Los Lunas, NM earns a median $43,857/year (≈ $21.09/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Los Lunas's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 94.4), that paycheck buys what $46,459 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.1% below the New Mexico state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, professionals in the veterinary technologist and technician field in Los Lunas, NM can anticipate a median annual salary of $43,857. This figure reflects a more subdued earning potential compared to the national average, which stands at $49,986. Local salaries range from $36,363 at the 10th percentile to $55,149 at the 90th percentile, indicating a structured pay gradient influenced by the type of veterinary practice. For individuals considering roles in specialty hospitals versus general practice settings, this variance in compensation may be a defining factor in their career choices. The estimates provided are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and highlight how local market dynamics shape earnings for veterinary technologists and technicians in Los Lunas.
About the Los Lunas Market
Salary estimated from New Mexico average ($34,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,363 | $17.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,680 | $18.11 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $43,857 | $21.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52,034 | $25.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55,149 | $26.51 |
Median Salary Position
12.26% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Los Lunas
In Los Lunas, NM, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $18,786 (2026 est.). At $43,857, the local median is 12.26% below the national median of $49,986.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Los Lunas: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Los Lunas Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
Los Lunas median: $43,857/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Los Lunas Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $47,209 | -7.10% less |
| National Average | $49,986 | -12.26% less |
Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Los Lunas, NM earn a median of $43,857 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.26% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 7.10% below the New Mexico state average of $47,209.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Los Lunas has a cost of living 5.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Los Lunas, NM has a cost-of-living index of 94.4 (below the national average of 100). A veterinary technologist and technician earning $43,857 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $46,459 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$30,990
2025 BLS Actual
$41,571
2026 Current Est.
$43,857
2019–2027 Growth
+49.3%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Los Lunas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30,990 | Actual |
| 2020 | $31,814 | Actual |
| 2021 | $32,332 | Actual |
| 2022 | $33,552 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,377 | Actual |
| 2024 | $29,831 | Actual |
| 2025 | $41,571 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $43,857 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46,270 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Los Lunas metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 34.1% from $30,990 (2019) to $41,571 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $46,270 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,280 (49.31%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Los Lunas 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) | $36,363 – $37,680 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,680 – $43,857 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $43,857 – $52,034 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $52,034 – $55,149 |
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 Los Lunas
Currently, there are only four veterinary technologists and technicians employed in Los Lunas, a reflection of a localized job market that may be limited but still holds potential for growth. The cost-of-living index for the area stands at 94.4, suggesting that earnings may stretch further compared to regions with a higher cost-of-living. Employers that tend to pay the most include specialty referral hospitals, particularly those focusing on emergency critical care and internal medicine, where the demand for specialized skills, such as the VTS certification, drives higher pay scales. Additionally, corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl often provide tiered pay structures associated with different levels of experience and expertise. To maximize earning potential in Los Lunas, candidates should pursue the VTS specialty credentialing pathway, consider positions in high-demand specialties, and aim for roles in 24-hour emergency hospitals, which often provide shift differentials that boost overall compensation.
More salary data for Los Lunas, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinary technologists and technicians make in Los Lunas, NM in 2026?
Is Los Lunas, NM a good place to work as a veterinary technologist and technician?
Can veterinary technologists and technicians make $100K in Los Lunas?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted veterinary technologist and technician salary in Los Lunas?
How much does a veterinary technologist and technician make per hour in Los Lunas?
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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 $41,571 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Los Lunas 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 Los Lunas 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