Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Winston, NC: $49,638 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Winston, NC earns a median $49,638/year (≈ $23.86/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Winston's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.0), that paycheck buys what $53,929 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Winston, North Carolina, the salaries for veterinary technologists and technicians reflect the growing demand for skilled professionals in the field. The 2026 median annual salary is projected at $49,638, which is slightly below the national median of $49,986. Salaries range from $37,758 at the 10th percentile to $61,369 at the 90th percentile, indicating that specialized credentials, particularly the Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) in areas like emergency and critical care (ECC) or anesthesia, can significantly boost earning potential. This data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, suggests that acquiring such specialized skills can be a worthwhile investment for those looking to advance their careers in Winston's veterinary market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,758 | $18.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,752 | $19.11 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,638 | $23.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52,676 | $25.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61,369 | $29.51 |
Median Salary Position
0.7% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Winston
In Winston, NC, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,611 (2026 est.). At $49,638, the local median is 0.7% below the national median of $49,986.
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At 40 hours/week in Winston: You'd be above the median
How Winston Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
Winston median: $49,638/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Winston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $49,588 | +0.10% more |
| National Average | $49,986 | -0.70% less |
Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Winston, NC earn a median of $49,638 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.70% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 0.10% above the North Carolina state average of $49,588.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Winston has a cost of living 7.96% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Winston, NC has a cost-of-living index of 92.043 (below the national average of 100). A veterinary technologist and technician earning $49,638 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $53,929 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.64% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$34,750
2025 BLS Actual
$47,050
2026 Current Est.
$49,638
2019–2027 Growth
+50.7%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Winston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34,750 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,270 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,360 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,430 | Actual |
| 2023 | $41,300 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,670 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,050 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,638 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,368 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Winston metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 35.4% from $34,750 (2019) to $47,050 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,368 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,618 (50.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Winston 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) | $37,758 – $39,752 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,752 – $49,638 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,638 – $52,676 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $52,676 – $61,369 |
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 Winston
Winston's job market shows a solid demand for veterinary technologists and technicians, with around 130 individuals currently engaged in this profession. The cost of living index stands at 92.043, indicating a relatively affordable lifestyle compared to the national average. For professionals navigating their career paths, employers that typically offer the highest pay include specialty referral hospitals and corporate chains such as VCA and BluePearl, which often have structured pay scales that reward specialized skills. Factors influencing salary variation include the presence of a VTS credential, experience level, and the type of practice setting. Practitioners aiming to maximize their veterinary technologist and technician pay in Winston should consider pursuing additional certifications and seeking positions in high-demand specialties or leadership roles, while keeping in mind the opportunities that corporate entities may present.
More salary data for Winston, 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 $47,050 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Winston 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