Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Cary, NC: $52,751 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Cary, NC earns a median $52,751/year (≈ $25.36/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Cary's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $56,358 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.4% above the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cary, NC, the projected median annual salary for veterinary technologists and technicians is set at $52,751 for 2026, reflecting a notable 5.53% increase over the national median salary of $49,986. The pay scale for these professionals ranges from $40,789 at the low end (P10) to $72,537 at the upper end (P90), illustrating a robust compensation structure influenced by local demand and specialty services. Estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost factors, emphasize the structural differences in pay between general practice and specialty hospitals. With veterinary care in rapid evolution, professionals in Cary can navigate a diverse job market where choices between clinic types significantly impact their earnings.
About the Cary Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($36,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,789 | $19.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,925 | $21.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $52,751 | $25.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63,620 | $30.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72,537 | $34.88 |
Median Salary Position
5.53% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cary
In Cary, NC, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,748 (2026 est.). At $52,751, the local median is 5.53% above the national median of $49,986.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cary: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cary Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
Cary median: $52,751/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cary Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $49,578 | +6.40% more |
| National Average | $49,986 | +5.53% more |
Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Cary, NC earn a median of $52,751 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.53% higher than the national median of $49,986 and 6.40% above the North Carolina state average of $49,578.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cary has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cary, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A veterinary technologist and technician earning $52,751 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $56,358 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,274
2025 BLS Actual
$50,001
2026 Current Est.
$52,751
2019–2027 Growth
+49.3%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Cary (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,274 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,266 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,888 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,355 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,160 | Actual |
| 2024 | $33,871 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,001 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,751 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,652 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cary metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 34.1% from $37,274 (2019) to $50,001 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,652 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,378 (49.31%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cary 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) | $40,789 – $43,925 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,925 – $52,751 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $52,751 – $63,620 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $63,620 – $72,537 |
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 Cary
The job market for veterinary technologists and technicians in Cary is relatively strong, with 44 individuals currently employed in this sector. This area boasts a cost-of-living index of 93.6, making it more affordable compared to many parts of the country, which enhances actual take-home pay. Specialty referral hospitals, particularly those focused on emergency, anesthesiology, or internal medicine, typically offer the highest salaries, while general practice veterinary clinics provide more consistent but lower compensation. The disparity in earnings can be attributed to factors such as VTS specialty credentials, which command top-tier rates, as well as corporate pay scales from larger entities like VCA and BluePearl. For job seekers in Cary, pursuing additional certifications, such as the Veterinary Technician Specialist designation, and targeting specialty facilities can be effective strategies for maximizing their compensation in this dynamic field.
More salary data for Cary, NC:
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 $50,001 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Cary 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 Cary 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