Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Salisbury, NC: $48,716 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Salisbury, NC earns a median $48,716/year (≈ $23.42/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Salisbury's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $52,047 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Salisbury, North Carolina, the pay for veterinary technologists and technicians reflects the broader trends in this essential field. As of 2026, the median annual salary is projected at $48,716, closely tracking the national median of $49,986, yet it positions itself slightly lower by about 2.54%. Local estimates indicate a salary range from $37,026 at the lower tenth percentile to $60,665 at the upper ninetieth percentile. These figures, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, highlight the variations within the local market, shaped by factors such as the demand for skilled workers and the presence of major employers like VCA and BluePearl, which follow standardized corporate pay scales that often influence earnings in this area.
About the Salisbury Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($36,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,026 | $17.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,679 | $19.07 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,716 | $23.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57,272 | $27.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60,665 | $29.17 |
Median Salary Position
2.54% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salisbury
In Salisbury, NC, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,639 (2026 est.). At $48,716, the local median is 2.54% below the national median of $49,986.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Salisbury: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Salisbury Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
Salisbury median: $48,716/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Salisbury Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $49,558 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $49,986 | -2.54% less |
Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Salisbury, NC earn a median of $48,716 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.54% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 1.70% below the North Carolina state average of $49,558.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Salisbury 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.
Salisbury, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A veterinary technologist and technician earning $48,716 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $52,047 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$34,422
2025 BLS Actual
$46,176
2026 Current Est.
$48,716
2019–2027 Growth
+49.3%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Salisbury (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34,422 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,339 | Actual |
| 2021 | $35,914 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,268 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,628 | Actual |
| 2024 | $33,113 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,176 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,716 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,395 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Salisbury metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 34.1% from $34,422 (2019) to $46,176 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,395 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,973 (49.31%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salisbury 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) | $37,026 – $39,679 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,679 – $48,716 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,716 – $57,272 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $57,272 – $60,665 |
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 Salisbury
Currently, Salisbury employs six veterinary technologists and technicians, a relatively small number that could indicate a competitive market for qualified candidates. The cost of living index in Salisbury sits at 93.6, suggesting a lower-than-average living cost compared to the national benchmark, which likely enhances the take-home purchasing power for local professionals. Corporate chains and specialty referral hospitals tend to provide the highest salaries, especially for those with VTS credentials in emergency care or anesthesia. This specific expertise allows individuals to command higher wages. Those looking to maximize their salary in Salisbury should consider pursuing specialty certifications, gaining experience in high-demand areas, and being open to mentorship roles, which can lead to increased responsibilities and pay within corporate or evolving clinical environments.
More salary data for Salisbury, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinary technologists and technicians make in Salisbury, NC in 2026?
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Can veterinary technologists and technicians make $100K in Salisbury?
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How much does a veterinary technologist and technician make per hour in Salisbury?
Related Pages
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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 $46,176 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Salisbury 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 Salisbury 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