Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Bend, OR: $57,086 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Bend, OR earns a median $57,086/year (≈ $27.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Bend's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.6), that paycheck buys what $55,099 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% above the Oregon state average.
Official BLS data · View source

In 2026, Bend, Oregon offers a competitive median salary of $57,086 for veterinary technologists and technicians, reflecting a substantial 14.20% increase compared to the national median of $49,986. The salary range in this region varies significantly, with the lowest earners (P10) making $48,319 and the highest (P90) seeing up to $77,543, according to projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data. This salary framework highlights the impact of the corporate pay-scale systems employed by major veterinary chains such as VCA and BluePearl, which significantly influence the local market. As veterinary services evolve, the demand for skilled technicians continues to rise in Bend, offering promising career opportunities for those entering the field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,319 | $23.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,412 | $25.20 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,086 | $27.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63,870 | $30.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,543 | $37.28 |
Median Salary Position
14.20% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bend
In Bend, OR, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,224 (2026 est.). At $57,086, the local median is 14.2% above the national median of $49,986.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bend: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bend Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
Bend median: $57,086/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bend Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $55,912 | +2.10% more |
| National Average | $49,986 | +14.20% more |
Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Bend, OR earn a median of $57,086 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.20% higher than the national median of $49,986 and 2.10% above the Oregon state average of $55,912.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bend has a cost of living 3.61% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bend, OR has a cost-of-living index of 103.607 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $57,086 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $55,099 — a 3.48% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$33,310
2025 BLS Actual
$54,110
2026 Current Est.
$57,086
2019–2027 Growth
+80.8%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Bend (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33,310 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,150 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,180 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,510 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,750 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,480 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,110 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,086 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,226 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bend metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 62.4% from $33,310 (2019) to $54,110 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,226 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,916 (80.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bend 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) | $48,319 – $52,412 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,412 – $57,086 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,086 – $63,870 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $63,870 – $77,543 |
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 Bend
The local job market is robust, with approximately 70 veterinary technologists and technicians currently employed in Bend, OR. However, the cost of living index stands slightly above the national average at 103.607, which may affect take-home earnings for professionals in this field. Among local employers, corporate hospitals tend to offer the most competitive wages, yet specialty referral hospitals can provide top-tier compensation, particularly for those with Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) credentials in areas such as emergency care or anesthesia. The spread in pay levels largely stems from the varied skills and roles in the job market. Focusing on specialty credentials, pursuing positions in high-demand areas, and gaining experience in corporate settings are all strategic ways for practitioners to enhance their earning potential in Bend.
More salary data for Bend, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $54,110 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Bend 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