Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in North Dakota: $51,029 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across North Dakota's 8 metropolitan areas, the average median veterinary technologist and technician pay sits at $51,029/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2056. Because North Dakota sits at BEA RPP 92.0 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $55,466 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Bismarck ($51,390), Fargo ($49,310), Grand Forks ($43,836).
In 2026, the average median salary for veterinary technologists and technicians in North Dakota is projected at $51,029, which is 2.1% higher than the national median of $49,986. Within the state, there is a significant salary disparity between cities; Bismarck offers the highest salaries at $54,216, while Mandan reports the lowest at $42,981. This gap can be attributed to various factors, including local cost of living, demand for veterinary services, and the availability of job opportunities in each area. North Dakota has specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that can influence the job market for veterinary professionals. The projected annual growth rate for this field is 5.50%, driven by an increasing pet population and a greater emphasis on animal health. Currently, there are 263 employed veterinary technologists and technicians across the state, with Bismarck, Fargo, Grand Forks, West Fargo, and Minot as the top five cities for this profession. Salaries in Fargo are projected at $52,022, Grand Forks at $46,247, West Fargo at $45,195, and Minot at $45,162, further illustrating the variation in earnings based on location. This landscape presents a favorable outlook for those entering the field in North Dakota.
North Dakota Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary Range
Overall salary range in North Dakota: $33,802 (lowest entry-level) to $66,803 (highest top earner)
North Dakota vs National Average
North Dakota veterinary technologists and technicians earn 2.09% more than the national median (+$1,043/year difference).
North Dakota Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary Distribution (2026)
Veterinary Technologist and Technician salaries in North Dakota range from $39,018 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $61,335 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $51,029. The North Dakota median is $1,043 above the US national median of $49,986. The average hourly rate is $24.54/hr. Approximately 263 veterinary technologist and technicians are employed across 8 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$32,090
2025 BLS Actual
$48,369
2026 Current Est.
$51,029
2019–2027 Growth
+67.8%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in North Dakota (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32,090 | Actual |
| 2020 | $34,037 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,880 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,193 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,104 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,708 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,369 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,029 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,836 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Dakota metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 50.7% from $32,090 (2019) to $48,369 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,836 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,746 (67.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Dakota 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in North Dakota
Lowest Paying Cities in North Dakota
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Mandan | $42,981 |
| Williston | $43,882 |
| Dickinson | $44,966 |
| Minot | $45,162 |
| West Fargo | $45,195 |
Best Value Cities for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in North Dakota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these North Dakota cities offer the most purchasing power for veterinary technologists and technicians.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bismarck | $54,216 | 91.024 | $59,562 |
| Fargo | $52,022 | 90.871 | $57,248 |
| Grand Forks | $46,247 | 92 | $50,268 |
| West Fargo | $45,195 | 92 | $49,125 |
| Minot | $45,162 | 92 | $49,089 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in North Dakota
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $39,018 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $51,029 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $61,335 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across North Dakota metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 8 Cities in North Dakota
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bismarck | $54,216 |
| 2 | Fargo | $52,022 |
| 3 | Grand Forks | $46,247 |
| 4 | West Fargo | $45,195 |
| 5 | Minot | $45,162 |
| 6 | Dickinson | $44,966 |
| 7 | Williston | $43,882 |
| 8 | Mandan | $42,981 |
More North Dakota Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore veterinary technologist and technician hourly pay in North Dakota cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new veterinary technologists and technicians.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced veterinary technologists and technicians.
Explore More Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinary technologists and technicians make in North Dakota in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for veterinary technologists and technicians in North Dakota?
How does North Dakota veterinary technologist and technician pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level veterinary technologist and technician salary in North Dakota?
How many veterinary technologists and technicians are employed in North Dakota?
Which North Dakota city offers the best value for veterinary technologists and technicians?
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
Statewide 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. A 5.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 veterinary technologist and technician compensation across North Dakota. State averages are employment-weighted across 8 metro areas — larger metro areas with more veterinary technologists and technicianscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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