Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Grand Forks, ND: $46,247 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Grand Forks, ND earns a median $46,247/year (≈ $22.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Grand Forks's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.0), that paycheck buys what $50,268 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% above the North Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Reaching the Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) credential, specifically in Emergency and Critical Care (ECC) or anesthesia, can significantly enhance earning potential for veterinary technologists and technicians in Grand Forks, ND. The 2026 median annual salary stands at $46,247, which is approximately 7.48% lower than the national median of $49,986. Local salaries range from $34,155 at the 10th percentile to $59,741 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse opportunities available in this small but critical market. These figures are based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, accounting for regional price disparities, and they show the importance of specialization in determining compensation levels in the local veterinary workforce.
About the Grand Forks Market
Salary estimated from North Dakota average ($38,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,155 | $16.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,249 | $17.90 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $46,247 | $22.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56,332 | $27.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59,741 | $28.72 |
Median Salary Position
7.48% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Grand Forks
In Grand Forks, ND, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,586 (2026 est.). At $46,247, the local median is 7.48% below the national median of $49,986.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Grand Forks: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Grand Forks Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
Grand Forks median: $46,247/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Grand Forks Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Dakota Average | $45,971 | +0.60% more |
| National Average | $49,986 | -7.48% less |
Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Grand Forks, ND earn a median of $46,247 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.48% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 0.60% above the North Dakota state average of $45,971.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Grand Forks has a cost of living 8.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Grand Forks, ND has a cost-of-living index of 92 (below the national average of 100). A veterinary technologist and technician earning $46,247 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $50,268 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.69% 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
$32,678
2025 BLS Actual
$43,836
2026 Current Est.
$46,247
2019–2027 Growth
+49.3%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Grand Forks (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32,678 | Actual |
| 2020 | $34,550 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,980 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,180 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,720 | Actual |
| 2024 | $35,157 | Actual |
| 2025 | $43,836 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,247 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,791 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Grand Forks metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 34.1% from $32,678 (2019) to $43,836 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $48,791 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,113 (49.31%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Grand Forks 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) | $34,155 – $37,249 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,249 – $46,247 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $46,247 – $56,332 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $56,332 – $59,741 |
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 Grand Forks
With only 14 veterinary technologists and technicians employed in Grand Forks, the local job market presents both challenges and opportunities for prospective candidates. The cost of living index in the area is 92, suggesting residents enjoy a lower living expense compared to the national average, which can positively affect their purchasing power. Among employers, specialty referral hospitals and corporate chain hospitals such as VCA and BluePearl tend to offer the highest salaries, often influenced by demand for specialized skills and the corporate pay scale structure. The significant pay range is driven by factors such as VTS specialty credentials, experience levels, and specific roles like lead or mentor positions. To maximize pay, candidates should consider obtaining VTS status and seek positions in specialty care facilities or corporate hospitals that tend to offer premium pay scales, coupled with strategic shift work that can also enhance earnings.
More salary data for Grand Forks, ND:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinary technologists and technicians make in Grand Forks, ND in 2026?
Is Grand Forks, ND a good place to work as a veterinary technologist and technician?
Can veterinary technologists and technicians make $100K in Grand Forks?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted veterinary technologist and technician salary in Grand Forks?
How much does a veterinary technologist and technician make per hour in Grand Forks?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in North Dakota
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 $43,836 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Grand Forks 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 Grand Forks 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