Vet Tech salary

Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Fayetteville, NC: $47,159 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Fayetteville, NC earns a median $47,159/year (โ‰ˆ $22.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 โ€” projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Fayetteville's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.0), that paycheck buys what $51,272 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.9% below the North Carolina state average.

$47,159
Median Annual Salary
$22.67/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$36,756
Entry Level (P10)
$59,987
Top Earners (P90)

Official BLS data ยท View source

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

In 2026, the median annual salary for veterinary technologists and technicians in Fayetteville, North Carolina, is projected to be $47,159, which is approximately 5.66% lower than the national median of $49,986. The salary range for this occupation in the city is expected to span from $36,756 at the 10th percentile to $59,987 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS data, reflect a market where specialty hospitals typically offer higher pay than general practice settings. Given Fayetteville's healthcare landscape, the demand for skilled veterinary technologists is significant, leading to competitive wages and varied earning potential across different work environments.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$36,756$17.67
Lower Range (P25)$38,740$18.62
Median (P50)(typical)$47,159$22.67
Upper Range (P75)$56,105$26.98
Top Earners (P90)$59,987$28.84

Median Salary Position

$36,756$59,987
City Median: $47,159
National: $49,986
P10โ€“P90 Range

5.66% below the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fayetteville

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for veterinary technologist and technicians in Fayetteville. The median salary is $47,159, compared to the national median of $49,986.$33.1K$40.6K$48.0K$55.5K$63.0K$36.8K10th Pctl$38.7K25th Pctl$47.2KMedian$56.1K75th Pctl$60.0K90th PctlUS Median$50.0K

In Fayetteville, NC, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,231 (2026 est.). At $47,159, the local median is 5.66% below the national median of $49,986.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of veterinary technologist and technician pay in the Fayetteville metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$907
per week
$3,930
per month
$47,158
per year

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

How Fayetteville Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares

Fayetteville median: $47,159/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryFayetteville Pays
North Carolina Average$49,588-4.90% less
National Average$49,986-5.66% less
Horizontal bar chart comparing veterinary technologist and technician median salary in Fayetteville ($47,159) with North Carolina average ($49,588) and the US national median ($49,986).Fayetteville$47,159North Carolina Avg$49,588-4.90%US National$49,986-5.66%

Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Fayetteville, NC earn a median of $47,159 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.66% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 4.90% below the North Carolina state average of $49,588.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$47,159
Nominal Salary
91.978
CoL Index
$51,272
Adjusted Salary

Fayetteville has a cost of living 8.02% 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 $47,159. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 91.978, the purchasing-power equivalent is $51,272, a gain of $4,113.$40.1K$44.8K$49.5K$54.2K$59.0K$47,159NominalSalary$51,272CoL Adjusted(CoL: 91.978)โ–ฒ 8.72%US Median $50.0K

Fayetteville, NC has a cost-of-living index of 91.978 (below the national average of 100). A veterinary technologist and technician earning $47,159 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $51,272 in an average-cost city โ€” an effective 8.72% boost.

Compare Purchasing Power

Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living

Select a city above to compare purchasing power

2019 BLS Actual

$31,520

2025 BLS Actual

$44,700

2026 Current Est.

$47,159

2019โ€“2027 Growth

+57.8%

Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Fayetteville (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 Fayetteville. Baseline $31,520 in 2025, projected to $49,752 by 2027.$27.9K$34.3K$40.6K$47.0K$53.4K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$31.5K$33.4K$34.8K$36.1K$44.5K$39.7K$44.7K$47.2K$49.8K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$31,520Actual
2020$33,350Actual
2021$34,766Actual
2022$36,077Actual
2023$44,470Actual
2024$39,690Actual
2025$44,700Actual
2026(current)$47,159Estimated
2027$49,752Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fayetteville metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 41.8% from $31,520 (2019) to $44,700 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,752 by 2027 โ€” a total increase of $18,232 (57.84%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (2019โ€“2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fayetteville 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)$36,756 โ€“ $38,740
3-5 years (Mid Career)$38,740 โ€“ $47,159
5+ years (Experienced)$47,159 โ€“ $56,105
10+ years (Top Earner)$56,105 โ€“ $59,987

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 Fayetteville

The local job market in Fayetteville demonstrates a healthy employment count with 80 veterinary technologists and technicians currently employed. With a cost-of-living index of 91.978, the purchasing power in the area is relatively advantageous for professionals in this field. Among employers, specialty referral hospitals often provide the most competitive compensation, particularly for those with Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) credentials in fields like emergency and critical care or anesthesia. The pay disparity between roles stems from credentialing, the type of facility, and additional responsibilities such as mentorship and shift differentials in emergency settings. Those aiming to maximize their compensation should consider pursuing specialty certifications and exploring employment in corporate practices or specialty hospitals, which tend to offer higher pay scales compared to general practices.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do veterinary technologists and technicians make in Fayetteville, NC in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median veterinary technologist and technician salary in Fayetteville is $47,159/year ($22.67/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 5.50% annual growth). Salaries range from $36,756 at entry level (10th percentile) to $59,987 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Fayetteville at 5.7% below 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 Fayetteville, NC a good place to work as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Fayetteville veterinary technologist and technician salaries are 5.7% below the national average and 4.9% below the North Carolina state average. The metro area employs approximately 80 veterinary technologists and technicians. With a cost-of-living index of 91.978, 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 Fayetteville?

The median veterinary technologist and technician salary in Fayetteville is $47,159, and the 90th percentile earns $59,987. 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 Fayetteville?

After adjusting for Fayetteville's cost-of-living index of 91.978 (where 100 equals the national average), the $47,159 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $51,272 in an average-cost city. This means your dollar goes 8.7% further in Fayetteville 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 Fayetteville?

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Fayetteville earn a median hourly rate of $22.67, which translates to approximately $47,159/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $17.67 for entry-level positions to $28.84 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.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in North Carolina

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 $44,700 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Fayetteville 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, 5-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

Last verified: