Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Pennsylvania: $49,202 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Pennsylvania's 25 metropolitan areas, the average median veterinary technologist and technician pay sits at $49,202/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2056. Because Pennsylvania sits at BEA RPP 97.4 (3% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $50,515 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Philadelphia ($48,340), Bethlehem ($47,786), Allentown ($46,650).
In 2026, the average median salary for veterinary technologists and technicians in Pennsylvania is projected to be $49,202, slightly below the national median of $49,986, showing a difference of 1.6%. Among metropolitan areas, Philadelphia offers the highest salaries at $50,999, while Johnstown presents the lowest at $38,750, indicating a salary gap of $12,249. This gap can be attributed to varying costs of living, demand for veterinary services, and the concentration of veterinary practices in urban areas. In Pennsylvania, licensing requirements include completing an accredited program and passing a state exam, which ensure that technologists and technicians have the necessary skills to perform their duties. Demand for these professionals is driven by an increasing pet ownership trend and the growing importance of animal health, leading to a projected 5.50% annual growth rate in employment from 2025 data. Total employment in the state stands at 6,920, with major cities like Bethlehem, Allentown, Lancaster, and Easton offering salaries ranging from $48,371 to $50,414. Overall, the job market for veterinary technologists and technicians in Pennsylvania appears stable, driven by consistent demand and opportunities in both urban and suburban settings.
Pennsylvania Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary Range
Overall salary range in Pennsylvania: $31,935 (lowest entry-level) to $68,702 (highest top earner)
Pennsylvania vs National Average
Pennsylvania veterinary technologists and technicians earn 1.57% less than the national median ($-784/year difference).
Pennsylvania Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary Distribution (2026)
Veterinary Technologist and Technician salaries in Pennsylvania range from $38,463 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $64,251 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $49,202. The Pennsylvania median is $784 below the US national median of $49,986. The average hourly rate is $23.66/hr. Approximately 6,920 veterinary technologist and technicians are employed across 25 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$37,023
2025 BLS Actual
$46,637
2026 Current Est.
$49,202
2019–2027 Growth
+40.2%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Pennsylvania (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,023 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,252 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,852 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,759 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,922 | Actual |
| 2024 | $42,242 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,637 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,202 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,909 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pennsylvania metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 26.0% from $37,023 (2019) to $46,637 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,909 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,886 (40.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pennsylvania 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Pennsylvania
Lowest Paying Cities in Pennsylvania
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Johnstown | $38,750 |
| Lebanon | $41,156 |
| Erie | $41,261 |
| Altoona | $44,384 |
| West Chester | $44,476 |
Best Value Cities for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Pennsylvania
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Pennsylvania cities offer the most purchasing power for veterinary technologists and technicians.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bethlehem | $50,414 | 97.4 | $51,760 |
| Chambersburg | $48,319 | 94.642 | $51,055 |
| Pittsburgh | $47,918 | 94.671 | $50,615 |
| Scranton | $47,074 | 93.556 | $50,316 |
| Philadelphia | $50,999 | 102.554 | $49,729 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Pennsylvania
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $38,463 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $49,202 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $64,251 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Pennsylvania metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 25 Cities in Pennsylvania
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Philadelphia | $50,999 |
| 2 | Bethlehem | $50,414 |
| 3 | Allentown | $49,216 |
| 4 | Lancaster | $48,551 |
| 5 | Easton | $48,371 |
| 6 | Chambersburg | $48,319 |
| 7 | Reading | $48,076 |
| 8 | Harrisburg | $48,013 |
| 9 | Pittsburgh | $47,918 |
| 10 | York | $47,602 |
| 11 | State College | $47,412 |
| 12 | Gettysburg | $47,327 |
| 13 | Scranton | $47,074 |
| 14 | Wilkes-Barre | $46,750 |
| 15 | Hazleton | $46,101 |
| 16 | Norristown | $46,013 |
| 17 | Chester | $45,906 |
| 18 | New Castle | $45,452 |
| 19 | Williamsport | $44,954 |
| 20 | Pottstown | $44,805 |
| 21 | West Chester | $44,476 |
| 22 | Altoona | $44,384 |
| 23 | Erie | $41,261 |
| 24 | Lebanon | $41,156 |
| 25 | Johnstown | $38,750 |
More Pennsylvania Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore veterinary technologist and technician hourly pay in Pennsylvania cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new veterinary technologists and technicians.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced veterinary technologists and technicians.
Compare Cities in Pennsylvania
View all comparisons →Explore More Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinary technologists and technicians make in Pennsylvania in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for veterinary technologists and technicians in Pennsylvania?
How does Pennsylvania veterinary technologist and technician pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level veterinary technologist and technician salary in Pennsylvania?
How many veterinary technologists and technicians are employed in Pennsylvania?
Which Pennsylvania city offers the best value for veterinary technologists and technicians?
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
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 Pennsylvania. State averages are employment-weighted across 25 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