Vet Tech salary

Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Utica, NY: $53,214 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Utica, NY earns a median $53,214/year (โ‰ˆ $25.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 โ€” projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Utica's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.7), that paycheck buys what $57,418 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the New York state average.

$53,214
Median Annual Salary
$25.58/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$48,277
Entry Level (P10)
$61,390
Top Earners (P90)

Official BLS data ยท View source

Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Utica, NY โ€” 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Utica, NY veterinary technologist and technician salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In 2026, the average annual compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians in Utica, NY is projected to be $53,214, which is approximately 6.46% higher than the national median of $49,986. The salary range for these professionals in Utica extends from $48,277 at the 10th percentile to $61,390 at the 90th percentile, based on data derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys. This promising pay structure reflects the growing demand for veterinary technologists and technicians in the area, driven by corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl, which often implement competitive pay scales to attract talent in response to the ongoing veterinary workforce shortage.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$48,277$23.21
Lower Range (P25)$49,764$23.93
Median (P50)(typical)$53,214$25.58
Upper Range (P75)$60,620$29.14
Top Earners (P90)$61,390$29.51

Median Salary Position

$48,277$61,390
City Median: $53,214
National: $49,986
P10โ€“P90 Range

6.46% above the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Utica

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for veterinary technologist and technicians in Utica. The median salary is $53,214, compared to the national median of $49,986.$43.4K$48.7K$54.0K$59.2K$64.5K$48.3K10th Pctl$49.8K25th Pctl$53.2KMedian$60.6K75th Pctl$61.4K90th PctlUS Median$50.0K

In Utica, NY, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $13,113 (2026 est.). At $53,214, the local median is 6.46% 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 Utica metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$1,023
per week
$4,435
per month
$53,214
per year

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

How Utica Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares

Utica median: $53,214/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryUtica Pays
New York Average$54,134-1.70% less
National Average$49,986+6.46% more
Horizontal bar chart comparing veterinary technologist and technician median salary in Utica ($53,214) with New York average ($54,134) and the US national median ($49,986).Utica$53,214New York Avg$54,134-1.70%US National$49,986+6.46%

Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Utica, NY earn a median of $53,214 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.46% higher than the national median of $49,986 and 1.70% below the New York state average of $54,134.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$53,214
Nominal Salary
92.678
CoL Index
$57,418
Adjusted Salary

Utica has a cost of living 7.32% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.

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

The nominal salary is $53,214. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 92.678, the purchasing-power equivalent is $57,418, a gain of $4,204.$42.5K$48.4K$54.3K$60.1K$66.0K$53,214NominalSalary$57,418CoL Adjusted(CoL: 92.678)โ–ฒ 7.90%US Median $50.0K

Utica, NY has a cost-of-living index of 92.678 (below the national average of 100). A veterinary technologist and technician earning $53,214 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $57,418 in an average-cost city โ€” an effective 7.9% boost.

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2019 BLS Actual

$35,310

2025 BLS Actual

$50,440

2026 Current Est.

$53,214

2019โ€“2027 Growth

+59.0%

Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Utica (2019โ€“2027)

2019โ€“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 Utica. Baseline $35,310 in 2025, projected to $56,141 by 2027.$31.1K$38.4K$45.7K$53.0K$60.3K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$35.3K$35.8K$37.2K$39.1K$46.2K$48.3K$50.4K$53.2K$56.1K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$35,310Actual
2020$35,840Actual
2021$37,180Actual
2022$39,070Actual
2023$46,220Actual
2024$48,310Actual
2025$50,440Actual
2026(current)$53,214Estimated
2027$56,141Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Utica metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 42.8% from $35,310 (2019) to $50,440 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,141 by 2027 โ€” a total increase of $20,831 (58.99%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (2019โ€“2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Utica metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026โ€“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

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$48,277 โ€“ $49,764
3-5 years (Mid Career)$49,764 โ€“ $53,214
5+ years (Experienced)$53,214 โ€“ $60,620
10+ years (Top Earner)$60,620 โ€“ $61,390

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 Utica

With around 80 veterinary technologists and technicians employed locally, the job market in Utica presents solid opportunities, particularly given that the cost of living index is at 92.678, indicating relatively affordable living conditions. Among local employers, corporate chain hospitals typically offer the highest salaries, while positions in specialty referral hospitals may provide even greater earnings linked to veterinary specialty credentials like the Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS). Factors influencing the salary variance include the type of practice, with specialty facilities often compensating more than general practices, as well as differentials associated with nighttime or emergency shifts. For those aiming to maximize their pay in Utica, pursuing additional credentials or seeking positions at corporate hospitals could enhance earning potential significantly.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do veterinary technologists and technicians make in Utica, NY in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median veterinary technologist and technician salary in Utica is $53,214/year ($25.58/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 5.50% annual growth). Salaries range from $48,277 at entry level (10th percentile) to $61,390 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Utica at 6.5% 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 Utica, NY a good place to work as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Utica veterinary technologist and technician salaries are 6.5% above the national average and 1.7% below the New York state average. The metro area employs approximately 80 veterinary technologists and technicians. With a cost-of-living index of 92.678, your salary stretches further here than in higher-cost metros. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

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

The median veterinary technologist and technician salary in Utica is $53,214, and the 90th percentile earns $61,390. 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 Utica?

After adjusting for Utica's cost-of-living index of 92.678 (where 100 equals the national average), the $53,214 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $57,418 in an average-cost city. This means your dollar goes 7.9% further in Utica compared to the national average, making it an attractive location for veterinary technologists and technicians seeking strong real wages.

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

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Utica earn a median hourly rate of $25.58, which translates to approximately $53,214/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $23.21 for entry-level positions to $29.51 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.

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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 $50,440 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Utica 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 (P10โ€“P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (โ€“). 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. ยท View source data at BLS.gov

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