Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Dayton, OH: $50,229 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Dayton, OH earns a median $50,229/year (≈ $24.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Dayton's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.7), that paycheck buys what $54,188 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary in Dayton, OH is projected to be $50,229, slightly above the national average of $49,986. This competitive compensation is reflective of the corporate pay-scale system adopted by major employers in the area, such as VCA and BluePearl. The anticipated salary range for these professionals spans from $37,590 at the 10th percentile to $63,564 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, indicating both a robust job market and growth potential in this field as employers recognize the increasing demand for skilled veterinary technicians.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,590 | $18.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,773 | $23.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,229 | $24.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $54,375 | $26.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $63,564 | $30.55 |
Median Salary Position
0.49% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dayton
In Dayton, OH, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,974 (2026 est.). At $50,229, the local median is 0.49% above the national median of $49,986.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dayton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Dayton Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
Dayton median: $50,229/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dayton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $49,986 | +0.49% more |
Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Dayton, OH earn a median of $50,229 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.49% higher than the national median of $49,986.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dayton has a cost of living 7.31% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dayton, OH has a cost-of-living index of 92.694 (below the national average of 100). A veterinary technologist and technician earning $50,229 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $54,188 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.88% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,360
2025 BLS Actual
$47,610
2026 Current Est.
$50,229
2019–2027 Growth
+45.7%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Dayton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,360 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,330 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,060 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,380 | Actual |
| 2023 | $38,030 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,620 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,610 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,229 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,991 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dayton metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 30.9% from $36,360 (2019) to $47,610 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,991 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,631 (45.74%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dayton 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) | $37,590 – $48,773 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,773 – $50,229 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,229 – $54,375 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $54,375 – $63,564 |
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 Dayton
With 360 veterinary technologists and technicians currently employed in Dayton, the job outlook appears promising, particularly given the area's cost of living index of 92.694, which is below the national average, enhancing local purchasing power. Among the various employers, corporate chain hospitals like VCA and specialty referral hospitals tend to offer higher salaries, particularly for those with additional credentials like the Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS). The disparity in pay is often dictated by factors such as specialization in emergency care or anesthesia, as well as organizational differences between general practice and specialty settings. To maximize earnings in Dayton's market, aspiring technicians should consider pursuing VTS certifications or obtaining positions in 24-hour emergency hospitals, where shift differentials can significantly bolster take-home pay.
More salary data for Dayton, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can veterinary technologists and technicians make $100K in Dayton?
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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 $47,610 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Dayton 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