Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Hickory, NC: $47,549 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Hickory, NC earns a median $47,549/year (≈ $22.86/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Hickory's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.5), that paycheck buys what $53,736 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.1% below the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Hickory, North Carolina, the veterinary technologist and technician salary is projected at a median annual figure of $47,549 for 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $49,986. The salary range in the area spans from $37,358 at the 10th percentile to $58,289 at the 90th percentile, revealing a competitive pay scale for those in the profession. These figures, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics data, illustrate the potential for financial growth in the field. As veterinary practices emphasize specialties, earning credentials like the Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) in Emergency and Critical Care (ECC) or anesthesia can lead to even higher compensation, making it an increasingly valuable pathway in Hickory's job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,358 | $17.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,499 | $18.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,549 | $22.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50,450 | $24.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $58,289 | $28.02 |
Median Salary Position
4.88% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hickory
In Hickory, NC, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,931 (2026 est.). At $47,549, the local median is 4.88% below the national median of $49,986.
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At 40 hours/week in Hickory: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hickory Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
Hickory median: $47,549/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hickory Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $49,582 | -4.10% less |
| National Average | $49,986 | -4.88% less |
Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Hickory, NC earn a median of $47,549 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.88% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 4.10% below the North Carolina state average of $49,582.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hickory has a cost of living 11.51% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hickory, NC has a cost-of-living index of 88.486 (below the national average of 100). A veterinary technologist and technician earning $47,549 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $53,736 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$35,530
2025 BLS Actual
$45,070
2026 Current Est.
$47,549
2019–2027 Growth
+41.2%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Hickory (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,530 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,140 | Actual |
| 2021 | $34,690 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,180 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,340 | Actual |
| 2024 | $41,230 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,070 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,549 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,164 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hickory metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 26.9% from $35,530 (2019) to $45,070 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,164 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,634 (41.19%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hickory 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) | $37,358 – $39,499 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,499 – $47,549 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,549 – $50,450 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $50,450 – $58,289 |
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 Hickory
The local job market in Hickory supports around 60 veterinary technologists and technicians, catering to a growing demand exacerbated by the ongoing workforce shortage in the veterinary field. Given the cost of living index of 88.486, those employed can enjoy greater purchasing power relative to many other regions. Employers that tend to offer higher salaries include specialty referral hospitals, such as those focusing on anesthesia or emergency care, compared to general practice clinics. Factors contributing to the pay disparity include the necessity of advanced VTS credentials, experience levels, and the structure of corporate pay scales, particularly for larger chains like VCA and BluePearl. To maximize earnings in Hickory, aspiring veterinary technologists should consider pursuing advanced specialty certifications and target opportunities in emergency or specialty practices, which typically offer differential pay and mentoring roles, thus enhancing overall compensation in the market.
More salary data for Hickory, 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 $45,070 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Hickory 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