Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Matthews, NC: $49,005 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Matthews, NC earns a median $49,005/year (≈ $23.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Matthews's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $52,356 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Matthews, North Carolina, veterinary technologists and technicians can expect to earn a median annual salary of $49,005 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $49,986. Salary estimates indicate a range from $37,576 at the 10th percentile to $61,716 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse settings in which these professionals may work. The data provided is based on 2025 BLS projections, tailored to local conditions which also account for the cost of living in Matthews. Alongside general practice environments, specialty hospitals tend to offer competitive pay that can significantly elevate earnings for skilled veterinary technicians, making career choices in Matthews particularly impactful on salary outcomes.
About the Matthews Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($36,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,576 | $18.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,271 | $19.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,005 | $23.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57,922 | $27.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61,716 | $29.67 |
Median Salary Position
1.96% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Matthews
In Matthews, NC, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,140 (2026 est.). At $49,005, the local median is 1.96% below the national median of $49,986.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Matthews: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Matthews Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
Matthews median: $49,005/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Matthews Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $49,550 | -1.10% less |
| National Average | $49,986 | -1.96% less |
Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Matthews, NC earn a median of $49,005 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.96% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 1.10% below the North Carolina state average of $49,550.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Matthews 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.
Matthews, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A veterinary technologist and technician earning $49,005 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $52,356 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% 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
$34,627
2025 BLS Actual
$46,450
2026 Current Est.
$49,005
2019–2027 Growth
+49.3%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Matthews (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34,627 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,548 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,127 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,489 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,881 | Actual |
| 2024 | $33,309 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,450 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,005 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,700 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Matthews metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 34.1% from $34,627 (2019) to $46,450 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,700 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,073 (49.31%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Matthews 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) | $37,576 – $40,271 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,271 – $49,005 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,005 – $57,922 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $57,922 – $61,716 |
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 Matthews
As of 2026, there are eight veterinary technologists and technicians employed in Matthews, which speaks to the relatively small but specialized job market. With a cost of living index at 93.6, the financial landscape can be favorable, allowing technicians to stretch their earnings further than in higher-cost regions. Among local employers, specialty referral hospitals tend to pay more compared to general practices, while corporate chains like VCA or BluePearl may provide structured pay scales that vary with credentials and experience. High earners often hold VTS specialties, warranting pay reaching upwards of $30-$45 per hour. For those looking to maximize their veterinary technologist and technician pay in Matthews, pursuing advanced training in specialties, taking on leadership roles, or seeking positions at specialty hospitals are effective strategies.
More salary data for Matthews, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinary technologists and technicians make in Matthews, NC in 2026?
Is Matthews, NC a good place to work as a veterinary technologist and technician?
Can veterinary technologists and technicians make $100K in Matthews?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted veterinary technologist and technician salary in Matthews?
How much does a veterinary technologist and technician make per hour in Matthews?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in North Carolina
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 $46,450 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Matthews 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 Matthews 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