Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Buffalo, NY: $52,856 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Buffalo, NY earns a median $52,856/year (≈ $25.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Buffalo's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.8), that paycheck buys what $55,148 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Buffalo, NY, veterinary technologists and technicians earn a median annual salary of $52,856, reflecting a robust job market that outpaces the national median by approximately 5.74%. The salary range for these professionals spans from $49,458 at the 10th percentile to $64,218 at the 90th percentile, indicating a notable variation based on experience, specialization, and type of employer. This data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, highlights the pay gradient between positions in specialty hospitals versus general practice settings. With the shift towards advanced veterinary care, roles in specialty hospitals often command higher salaries due to the complexity of cases and the advanced skills required.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,458 | $23.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,505 | $24.76 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $52,856 | $25.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62,034 | $29.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64,218 | $30.88 |
Median Salary Position
5.74% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Buffalo
In Buffalo, NY, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $14,760 (2026 est.). At $52,856, the local median is 5.74% above the national median of $49,986.
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At 40 hours/week in Buffalo: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Buffalo Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
Buffalo median: $52,856/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Buffalo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $54,155 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $49,986 | +5.74% more |
Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Buffalo, NY earn a median of $52,856 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.74% higher than the national median of $49,986 and 2.40% below the New York state average of $54,155.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Buffalo has a cost of living 4.16% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Buffalo, NY has a cost-of-living index of 95.844 (below the national average of 100). A veterinary technologist and technician earning $52,856 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $55,148 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.34% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,050
2025 BLS Actual
$50,100
2026 Current Est.
$52,856
2019–2027 Growth
+50.5%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Buffalo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,050 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,180 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,540 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,120 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,530 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,750 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,100 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,856 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,763 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Buffalo metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 35.2% from $37,050 (2019) to $50,100 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,763 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,713 (50.51%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Buffalo 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) | $49,458 – $51,505 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,505 – $52,856 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $52,856 – $62,034 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $62,034 – $64,218 |
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 Buffalo
With around 400 veterinary technologists and technicians currently employed in Buffalo, the local job market is relatively stable, but the cost of living plays a crucial role in determining take-home pay. The cost of living index for Buffalo stands at 95.844, which is below the national average, allowing for potentially better purchasing power for those in the field. Employers have a diverse pay scale, where specialty hospitals, such as those focused on surgery or emergency and critical care, tend to offer the highest salaries. Additionally, corporate chain hospitals like VCA and BluePearl provide structured pay scales that may differ from independent practices. The variation between base salaries can be attributed to various factors, including the demand for Veterinary Technician Specialists (VTS) who hold advanced credentials in areas such as emergency care, anesthesia, and internal medicine. Those seeking to maximize their earnings in Buffalo should consider pursuing additional certifications, seeking employment in high-demand specialty settings, and staying informed about industry trends that influence pay scales and job availability.
More salary data for Buffalo, NY:
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 $50,100 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Buffalo 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