Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Santa Fe, NM: $48,699 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Santa Fe, NM earns a median $48,699/year (≈ $23.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Santa Fe's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.8), that paycheck buys what $49,307 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% above the New Mexico state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Santa Fe, New Mexico, the projected median annual salary for veterinary technologists and technicians is set at $48,699 for 2026, positioning this market slightly below the national median of $49,986. The salary range spans from $39,341 at the 10th percentile to $60,546 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse opportunities available within the field. These figures are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, which indicate that, despite the salary being roughly 2.57% lower than the national average, the local market remains promising. Veterinary hospitals, particularly corporate chains such as VCA and BluePearl, play a significant role, offering structured pay-scales that attract both entry-level and experienced applicants, while emphasizing the continuing demand for skilled professionals in this area.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,341 | $18.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,646 | $23.39 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,699 | $23.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50,081 | $24.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60,546 | $29.11 |
Median Salary Position
2.57% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Santa Fe
In Santa Fe, NM, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,205 (2026 est.). At $48,699, the local median is 2.57% below the national median of $49,986.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Santa Fe: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Santa Fe Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
Santa Fe median: $48,699/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Santa Fe Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $47,189 | +3.20% more |
| National Average | $49,986 | -2.57% less |
Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Santa Fe, NM earn a median of $48,699 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.57% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 3.20% above the New Mexico state average of $47,189.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Santa Fe has a cost of living 1.23% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Santa Fe, NM has a cost-of-living index of 98.767 (below the national average of 100). A veterinary technologist and technician earning $48,699 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $49,307 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$39,450
2025 BLS Actual
$46,160
2026 Current Est.
$48,699
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Santa Fe (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,450 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,160 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,180 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,820 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,140 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,710 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,160 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,699 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,377 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Santa Fe metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 17.0% from $39,450 (2019) to $46,160 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,377 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,927 (30.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Fe 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) | $39,341 – $48,646 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,646 – $48,699 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,699 – $50,081 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $50,081 – $60,546 |
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 Santa Fe
With around 130 veterinary technologists and technicians currently employed in Santa Fe, the local job market is on a growth trajectory, with a 5.50% annual increase projected. The cost-of-living index stands at 98.767, which generally allows for more favorable purchasing power compared to many regions. Corporate hospitals typically offer the most competitive salaries, particularly for positions integrating specialty skills such as emergency and critical care (ECC) or anesthesia, which can significantly enhance earning potential. Factors influencing the salary differential include the prevalence of VTS specialty credentials and the advantages of corporate pay structures over general practice settings. Furthermore, taking on leadership roles or working shifts at 24-hour emergency facilities can also elevate pay. Veterinary technicians in Santa Fe should consider pursuing continuing education and certification pathways to maximize their salary potential, especially given the heightened demand for skilled personnel in veterinary medicine.
More salary data for Santa Fe, 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 $46,160 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Santa Fe 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