Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Tigard, OR: $54,366 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Tigard, OR earns a median $54,366/year (≈ $26.14/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Tigard's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.6), that paycheck buys what $52,988 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the Oregon state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Veterinary technologists and technicians in Tigard, OR, can expect a projected median annual salary of $54,366 for 2026, which represents a notable increase when compared to the national median of $49,986. Salary ranges for this occupation in the area vary significantly, with the lowest 10% earning approximately $41,731 and the highest 90% making upwards of $71,848. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, reflect regional price adjustments for the local market. Interestingly, the demand for specialized credentials, such as those from the Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) pathway, particularly in emergency and critical care (ECC) or anesthesia, can further enhance earning potential within Tigard’s job market.
About the Tigard Market
Salary estimated from Oregon average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,731 | $20.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,848 | $21.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $54,366 | $26.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,127 | $31.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $71,848 | $34.54 |
Median Salary Position
8.76% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tigard
In Tigard, OR, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,117 (2026 est.). At $54,366, the local median is 8.76% above the national median of $49,986.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tigard: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Tigard Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
Tigard median: $54,366/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tigard Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oregon Average | $55,932 | -2.80% less |
| National Average | $49,986 | +8.76% more |
Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Tigard, OR earn a median of $54,366 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.76% higher than the national median of $49,986 and 2.80% below the Oregon state average of $55,932.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tigard has a cost of living 2.60% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tigard, OR has a cost-of-living index of 102.6 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $54,366 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $52,988 — a 2.53% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,415
2025 BLS Actual
$51,532
2026 Current Est.
$54,366
2019–2027 Growth
+49.3%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Tigard (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,415 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,438 | Actual |
| 2021 | $40,079 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,591 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,573 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,880 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,532 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,366 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,356 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tigard metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 34.1% from $38,415 (2019) to $51,532 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,356 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,941 (49.31%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tigard 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) | $41,731 – $44,848 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,848 – $54,366 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $54,366 – $66,127 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,127 – $71,848 |
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 Tigard
In Tigard, there are currently around nine veterinary technologists and technicians employed, highlighting a competitive job market amid a nationwide workforce shortage in this field. The cost of living index in the area stands at 102.6, indicating that while salaries may be higher than the national average, the purchasing power takes a slight hit due to elevated living costs. Among local employers, corporate chain hospitals like VCA and BluePearl typically offer salaries at the higher end of the spectrum, especially for specialists. The disparity in pay can also be attributed to various factors such as experience level, the presence of VTS certifications, and working conditions in specialty hospitals as opposed to general practice settings. For those looking to maximize their veterinary technologist and technician pay in Tigard, pursuing specialty certification and seeking positions in emergency care or corporate veterinary practices are solid strategies to enhance earning potential.
More salary data for Tigard, 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 $51,532 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Tigard 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 Tigard 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