Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Burlington, NC: $44,985 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Burlington, NC earns a median $44,985/year (≈ $21.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Burlington's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $48,269 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.3% below the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Burlington, NC, veterinary technologists and technicians are projected to earn a median annual salary of $44,985 in 2026. This figure is approximately 10% below the national median of $49,986, highlighting the impact of local economic factors on pay. The salary range for these professionals in the area spans from $37,569 at the 10th percentile to $61,464 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse market for roles within this field. These salary insights are drawn from official BLS OEWS surveys, revealing that while the pay may be lower than the national average, Burlington still offers competitive compensation in relation to its local cost of living and the overall job market for veterinary technologists and technicians.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,569 | $18.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,908 | $18.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $44,985 | $21.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57,044 | $27.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61,464 | $29.55 |
Median Salary Position
10% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burlington
In Burlington, NC, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,895 (2026 est.). At $44,985, the local median is 10% below the national median of $49,986.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Burlington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Burlington Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
Burlington median: $44,985/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Burlington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $49,598 | -9.30% less |
| National Average | $49,986 | -10.00% less |
Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Burlington, NC earn a median of $44,985 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.00% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 9.30% below the North Carolina state average of $49,598.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Burlington has a cost of living 6.80% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Burlington, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.196 (below the national average of 100). A veterinary technologist and technician earning $44,985 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $48,269 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$30,620
2025 BLS Actual
$42,640
2026 Current Est.
$44,985
2019–2027 Growth
+55.0%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30,620 | Actual |
| 2020 | $32,430 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,660 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,290 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,310 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,130 | Actual |
| 2025 | $42,640 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44,985 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,459 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Burlington metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 39.3% from $30,620 (2019) to $42,640 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $47,459 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,839 (54.99%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burlington 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) | $37,569 – $38,908 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,908 – $44,985 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $44,985 – $57,044 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $57,044 – $61,464 |
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 Burlington
A total of 40 veterinary technologists and technicians are currently employed in Burlington, emphasizing a modest yet steady job market. The cost-of-living index stands at 93.196, which is below the national average, potentially enhancing take-home pay for local professionals. Among the various employers, corporate chain hospitals like VCA and BluePearl typically offer the highest salaries. The differences in pay can be attributed to several factors, including specialty credentials like Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS), the influence of corporate pay scales, and the distinction between general practice and specialty referral hospitals. To maximize compensation, candidates may benefit from pursuing VTS credentials or seeking positions at 24-hour emergency hospitals that often provide shift differentials. Understanding these dynamics can help aspiring veterinary technicians strategically navigate the local job market in Burlington.
More salary data for Burlington, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinary technologists and technicians make in Burlington, NC in 2026?
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Can veterinary technologists and technicians make $100K in Burlington?
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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 $42,640 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Burlington 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