Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Wilmington, NC: $50,239 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Wilmington, NC earns a median $50,239/year (≈ $24.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Wilmington's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.4), that paycheck buys what $52,103 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Wilmington, North Carolina, the projected median annual salary for veterinary technologists and technicians in 2026 is $50,239, showcasing a slight edge over the national median of $49,986. The salary range in this market spans from $38,265 at the lower 10th percentile to $59,101 at the upper 90th percentile, indicating a diverse compensation structure based on factors like experience, specialization, and type of employment. This data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, providing a solid framework for understanding local trends. Notably, those pursuing the Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) designations in Emergency and Critical Care (ECC) or anesthesia are likely to enhance their earning potential significantly, given the acute demand for these specialties within Wilmington's veterinary landscape.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,265 | $18.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,907 | $20.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,239 | $24.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58,363 | $28.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59,101 | $28.41 |
Median Salary Position
0.51% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wilmington
In Wilmington, NC, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,836 (2026 est.). At $50,239, the local median is 0.51% above the national median of $49,986.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wilmington: You'd be above the median
How Wilmington Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
Wilmington median: $50,239/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wilmington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $49,594 | +1.30% more |
| National Average | $49,986 | +0.51% more |
Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Wilmington, NC earn a median of $50,239 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.51% higher than the national median of $49,986 and 1.30% above the North Carolina state average of $49,594.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wilmington has a cost of living 3.58% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wilmington, NC has a cost-of-living index of 96.422 (below the national average of 100). A veterinary technologist and technician earning $50,239 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $52,103 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.71% 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
$31,090
2025 BLS Actual
$47,620
2026 Current Est.
$50,239
2019–2027 Growth
+70.5%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Wilmington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,090 | Actual |
| 2020 | $33,960 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,037 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,434 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,210 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,160 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,620 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,239 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,002 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wilmington metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 53.2% from $31,090 (2019) to $47,620 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,002 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,912 (70.48%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilmington 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) | $38,265 – $42,907 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,907 – $50,239 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,239 – $58,363 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $58,363 – $59,101 |
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 Wilmington
The job market for veterinary technologists and technicians in Wilmington is robust, with approximately 140 professionals employed in the area, reflecting a healthy demand in this sector. Given that the cost of living index stands at 96.422, wages tend to provide reasonable purchasing power, making the overall compensation attractive. Among potential employers, specialty hospitals, particularly in emergency and critical care, often offer compensation packages that exceed those from general practice veterinary clinics. The spread in pay is primarily driven by specialization, with VTS credentials commanding higher rates. Prospective employees can maximize their earnings by seeking roles in specialty facilities or corporate chain hospitals, which often provide structured pay scales and additional benefits. Engaging in continuous education and obtaining higher certifications can notably enhance one's profile in this competitive Wilmington market, ultimately leading to better job opportunities and salary increases.
More salary data for Wilmington, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinary technologists and technicians make in Wilmington, NC in 2026?
Is Wilmington, NC a good place to work as a veterinary technologist and technician?
Can veterinary technologists and technicians make $100K in Wilmington?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted veterinary technologist and technician salary in Wilmington?
How much does a veterinary technologist and technician make per hour in Wilmington?
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 $47,620 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Wilmington 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, 5-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