Vet Tech salary

Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Fargo, ND: $52,022 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Fargo, ND earns a median $52,022/year (โ‰ˆ $25.01/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 โ€” projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Fargo's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $57,248 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 13.1% above the North Dakota state average.

$52,022
Median Annual Salary
$25.01/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$40,438
Entry Level (P10)
$60,578
Top Earners (P90)

Official BLS data ยท View source

Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Fargo, ND โ€” 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Fargo, ND veterinary technologist and technician salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In Fargo, North Dakota, the 2026 median annual salary for veterinary technologists and technicians is projected to be $52,022, reflecting a competitive edge over the national median of $49,986. The salary range illustrates varying levels of experience and specialization, with earnings between $40,438 and $60,578. This data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, indicates a growing demand for professionals in this field, bolstering job opportunities within the local market. Given Fargo's strategic positioning and ongoing development in veterinary services, the prospects for those entering or advancing within this profession look promising.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$40,438$19.44
Lower Range (P25)$44,500$21.40
Median (P50)(typical)$52,022$25.01
Upper Range (P75)$58,057$27.92
Top Earners (P90)$60,578$29.12

Median Salary Position

$40,438$60,578
City Median: $52,022
National: $49,986
P10โ€“P90 Range

4.07% above the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fargo

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for veterinary technologist and technicians in Fargo. The median salary is $52,022, compared to the national median of $49,986.$36.4K$43.2K$50.0K$56.8K$63.6K$40.4K10th Pctl$44.5K25th Pctl$52.0KMedian$58.1K75th Pctl$60.6K90th PctlUS Median$50.0K

In Fargo, ND, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,140 (2026 est.). At $52,022, the local median is 4.07% above the national median of $49,986.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of veterinary technologist and technician pay in the Fargo metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$1,001
per week
$4,336
per month
$52,029
per year

At 40 hours/week in Fargo: You'd be above the median

How Fargo Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares

Fargo median: $52,022/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryFargo Pays
North Dakota Average$45,997+13.10% more
National Average$49,986+4.07% more
Horizontal bar chart comparing veterinary technologist and technician median salary in Fargo ($52,022) with North Dakota average ($45,997) and the US national median ($49,986).Fargo$52,022North Dakota Avg$45,997+13.10%US National$49,986+4.07%

Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Fargo, ND earn a median of $52,022 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.07% higher than the national median of $49,986 and 13.10% above the North Dakota state average of $45,997.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$52,022
Nominal Salary
90.871
CoL Index
$57,248
Adjusted Salary

Fargo has a cost of living 9.13% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.

Adjusted salary = nominal ร— (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $52,022. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 90.871, the purchasing-power equivalent is $57,248, a gain of $5,226.$42.5K$48.3K$54.2K$60.0K$65.8K$52,022NominalSalary$57,248CoL Adjusted(CoL: 90.871)โ–ฒ 10.05%US Median $50.0K

Fargo, ND has a cost-of-living index of 90.871 (below the national average of 100). A veterinary technologist and technician earning $52,022 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $57,248 in an average-cost city โ€” an effective 10.05% boost.

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2019 BLS Actual

$32,090

2025 BLS Actual

$49,310

2026 Current Est.

$52,022

2019โ€“2027 Growth

+71.0%

Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Fargo (2019โ€“2027)

2019โ€“2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for veterinary technologists and technicians in Fargo. Baseline $32,090 in 2025, projected to $54,883 by 2027.$27.5K$35.5K$43.5K$51.5K$59.4K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$32.1K$35.2K$36.7K$36.9K$39.3K$47.8K$49.3K$52.0K$54.9K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$32,090Actual
2020$35,240Actual
2021$36,660Actual
2022$36,870Actual
2023$39,320Actual
2024$47,790Actual
2025$49,310Actual
2026(current)$52,022Estimated
2027$54,883Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fargo metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 53.7% from $32,090 (2019) to $49,310 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,883 by 2027 โ€” a total increase of $22,793 (71.03%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (2019โ€“2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fargo metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026โ€“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

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$40,438 โ€“ $44,500
3-5 years (Mid Career)$44,500 โ€“ $52,022
5+ years (Experienced)$52,022 โ€“ $58,057
10+ years (Top Earner)$58,057 โ€“ $60,578

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 Fargo

The local job market employs approximately 160 veterinary technologists and technicians, highlighting a stable demand for skilled individuals. With a cost-of-living index of 90.871, Fargo offers a favorable economic environment where the purchasing power of wages remains effective. Among employers, corporate chain hospitals like VCA and BluePearl tend to offer the highest pay scales compared to general practice clinics. The pay differential reflects factors such as specialty credentials like Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) credentials, which command higher salaries, especially in demanding areas such as emergency and critical care. To maximize earning potential, technicians should consider pursuing specialty certifications and gaining experience in higher-paying settings, which can significantly influence their career trajectory in Fargo, ND.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do veterinary technologists and technicians make in Fargo, ND in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median veterinary technologist and technician salary in Fargo is $52,022/year ($25.01/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 5.50% annual growth). Salaries range from $40,438 at entry level (10th percentile) to $60,578 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Fargo at 4.1% above the national median. Full-time veterinary technologists and technicians typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Fargo, ND a good place to work as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Fargo veterinary technologist and technician salaries are 4.1% above the national average and 13.1% above the North Dakota state average. The metro area employs approximately 160 veterinary technologists and technicians. With a cost-of-living index of 90.871, your salary stretches further here than in higher-cost metros. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can veterinary technologists and technicians make $100K in Fargo?

The median veterinary technologist and technician salary in Fargo is $52,022, and the 90th percentile earns $60,578. Reaching $100K in this market typically requires a combination of advanced certifications, working at multiple practices, or transitioning into education or consulting roles.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted veterinary technologist and technician salary in Fargo?

After adjusting for Fargo's cost-of-living index of 90.871 (where 100 equals the national average), the $52,022 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $57,248 in an average-cost city. This means your dollar goes 10.0% further in Fargo compared to the national average, making it an attractive location for veterinary technologists and technicians seeking strong real wages.

How much does a veterinary technologist and technician make per hour in Fargo?

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Fargo earn a median hourly rate of $25.01, which translates to approximately $52,022/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $19.44 for entry-level positions to $29.12 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem veterinary technologists and technicians sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in North Dakota

JL

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.

Clinically reviewed by Sofia Patel, RVTData verified by Mark Chen, LVT

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 $49,310 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Fargo 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 (P10โ€“P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (โ€“). 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. ยท View source data at BLS.gov

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