Vet Tech salary

Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Oregon: $59,426 (2026)

Quick Answer:Across Oregon's 36 metropolitan areas, the average median veterinary technologist and technician pay sits at $59,426/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2056. Because Oregon sits at BEA RPP 102.6 (3% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $57,920 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Corvallis ($67,960), Hillsboro ($59,627), Portland ($58,300).

Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Oregon - 2025 BLS Data Infographic
Oregon veterinary technologist and technician salary overview (2026)
$59,426
Avg Median Salary
$28.57
Avg Hourly Rate
1,349
Metro Employed
36
Cities

The field of veterinary technology in Oregon is marked by salaries that exceed national averages, reflecting a median salary of $59,426 in 2026, which is 18.9% higher than the national median of $49,986. Salary variations across cities are significant; for instance, the highest-paying city, Corvallis, offers $71,698 while Milwaukie has the lowest at $51,394, creating a disparity of $20,304. This gap can be attributed to factors such as the concentration of veterinary practices, cost of living, and local demand for veterinary services. In Oregon, veterinary technologists and technicians must meet specific state licensing requirements and adhere to the defined scope of practice laws, which can influence salary ranges. The demand for professionals in this field is projected to grow, with an annual compound growth rate of 5.50%, indicating a strong job market outlook. Other cities showing competitive salaries include Hillsboro at $62,906, Portland at $61,507, Gresham at $57,218, and Bend at $57,086. The combination of educational requirements and the increasing pet ownership trends contributes to the expanding opportunities for veterinary technologists and technicians across the state.

Oregon Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary Range

Entry Level (10th %ile)
$46,226
avg across 36 cities
Median
$59,426
state average
Top Earners (90th %ile)
$77,914
avg across 36 cities

Overall salary range in Oregon: $33,095 (lowest entry-level) to $85,761 (highest top earner)

Oregon vs National Average

Oregon
$59,426
National Median
$49,986

Oregon veterinary technologists and technicians earn 18.89% more than the national median (+$9,440/year difference).

Oregon Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary Distribution (2026)

Vertical bar chart showing Oregon veterinary technologist and technician salary percentiles: 10th percentile $46,226, 25th $51,791, Median $59,426, 75th $66,900, 90th $77,914. US national median is $49,986.$21.8K$43.6K$65.4K$87.3K$46.2K10thEntry Level$51.8K25thEarly Career$59.4KMedianMid Career$66.9K75thExperienced$77.9K90thTop EarnerUS Median $50.0K

Veterinary Technologist and Technician salaries in Oregon range from $46,226 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $77,914 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $59,426. The Oregon median is $9,440 above the US national median of $49,986. The average hourly rate is $28.57/hr. Approximately 1,349 veterinary technologist and technicians are employed across 36 cities.

2019 BLS Actual

$35,651

2025 BLS Actual

$56,328

2026 Current Est.

$59,426

2019–2027 Growth

+75.9%

Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Oregon (20192027)

2019–2025: 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 Oregon. Baseline $35,651 in 2025, projected to $62,695 by 2027.$30.2K$39.7K$49.2K$58.6K$68.1K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$35.7K$38.2K$41.8K$44.4K$46.2K$53.3K$56.3K$59.4K$62.7K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$35,651Actual
2020$38,196Actual
2021$41,813Actual
2022$44,416Actual
2023$46,165Actual
2024$53,312Actual
2025$56,328Actual
2026(current)$59,426Estimated
2027$62,695Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oregon metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 58.0% from $35,651 (2019) to $56,328 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,695 by 2027 — a total increase of $27,044 (75.86%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oregon metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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 Oregon

#1
Corvallis
80 employed · $34.48/hr
$71,698
+20.65% vs avg
#2
Hillsboro
22 employed · $30.25/hr
$62,906
+5.86% vs avg
#3
Portland
760 employed · $29.57/hr
$61,507
+3.50% vs avg
#4
Gresham
21 employed · $27.50/hr
$57,218
-3.72% vs avg
#5
Bend
70 employed · $27.44/hr
$57,086
-3.94% vs avg

Lowest Paying Cities in Oregon

CityMedian Salary
Milwaukie$51,394
Klamath Falls$51,516
The Dalles$51,827
Salem$52,022
Springfield$52,214

Best Value Cities for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Oregon

When adjusted for local cost of living, these Oregon cities offer the most purchasing power for veterinary technologists and technicians.

CityNominal SalaryCoL IndexAdjusted Salary
Corvallis$71,698104.017$68,929
Hillsboro$62,906102.6$61,312
Portland$61,507105.421$58,344
Gresham$57,218102.6$55,768
Bend$57,086103.607$55,099

Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.

Salary by Experience Level in Oregon

Experience LevelEstimated Annual
Entry Level (0-2 years)$46,226
Mid Career (3-7 years)$59,426
Experienced (7+ years)$77,914

Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Oregon metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

All 36 Cities in Oregon

#CityMedian Salary
1Corvallis$71,698
2Hillsboro$62,906
3Portland$61,507
4Gresham$57,218
5Bend$57,086
6Albany$56,431
7Beaverton$55,589
8McMinnville$55,438
9Oregon City$55,373
10Woodburn$55,005
11Medford$54,755
12Lake Oswego$54,740
13Forest Grove$54,596
14Tigard$54,366
15Redmond$54,349
16West Linn$54,193
17Grants Pass$53,997
18Tualatin$53,724
19Pendleton$53,720
20Wilsonville$53,641
21Happy Valley$53,181
22Hermiston$53,034
23Central Point$53,008
24Ashland$53,004
25Keizer$52,991
26Sherwood$52,987
27Coos Bay$52,900
28Eugene$52,898
29Roseburg$52,706
30Canby$52,676
31Newberg$52,386
32Springfield$52,214
33Salem$52,022
34The Dalles$51,827
35Klamath Falls$51,516
36Milwaukie$51,394

More Oregon Salary Data

Hourly Rates

Explore veterinary technologist and technician hourly pay in Oregon 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 Oregon in 2026?

The average median veterinary technologist and technician salary in Oregon is $59,426/year across 36 metro areas, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Salaries range from $51,394 in Milwaukie to $71,698 in Corvallis. This makes Oregon one of the higher-paying states, at 18.89% above the national median of $49,986. The state employs approximately 1,349 veterinary technologists and technicians.

What is the highest paying city for veterinary technologists and technicians in Oregon?

Corvallis offers the highest veterinary technologist and technician salary in Oregon at $71,698/year ($34.48/hr), based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). The top 3 highest-paying cities are Corvallis ($71,698), Hillsboro ($62,906), Portland ($61,507). Higher pay in these metros is typically driven by cost of living, demand for veterinary technology services, and competition among employers for licensed veterinary technologists and technicians.

How does Oregon veterinary technologist and technician pay compare to the national average?

Oregon's average veterinary technologist and technician salary of $59,426 is 18.89% above the national median of $49,986 in 2026. The state employs approximately 1,349 veterinary technologists and technicians across 36 metropolitan areas. When comparing salaries, consider cost-of-living differences — a lower nominal salary in an affordable area may provide better purchasing power than a higher salary in an expensive metro.

What is the entry-level veterinary technologist and technician salary in Oregon?

Entry-level veterinary technologists and technicians (10th percentile) in Oregon earn approximately $46,226/year on average, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Starting salaries range from $33,095 in lower-paying areas to $51,895 in the highest-paying metros. New graduates should expect salaries at the lower end and can typically reach the area median within 3–5 years of clinical experience.

How many veterinary technologists and technicians are employed in Oregon?

Oregon employs approximately 1,349 veterinary technologists and technicians across 36 metropolitan areas, based on the latest BLS data. Job availability varies by metro area, with larger cities offering more opportunities. Demand continues to grow as the veterinary technology field expands and the population ages.

Which Oregon city offers the best value for veterinary technologists and technicians?

When adjusted for cost of living, Corvallis offers the highest purchasing power for veterinary technologists and technicians in Oregon, with an adjusted salary of $68,929 (nominal: $71,698, CoL index: 104.017). This means your dollar goes 4% less far compared to the national average, making it important to negotiate higher base pay.
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

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 Oregon. State averages are employment-weighted across 36 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

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