Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Erie, PA: $41,261 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Erie, PA earns a median $41,261/year (≈ $19.83/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Erie's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.0), that paycheck buys what $45,367 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 13.1% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source

With a median annual salary of $41,261, veterinary technologists and technicians in Erie, Pennsylvania, face a notable discrepancy compared to the national average, which stands at $49,986. The salary range for this profession in Erie spans from $32,367 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $50,566 at the higher end (90th percentile). These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, reflect a local market that is influenced greatly by the type of veterinary practice. Veterinary specialty hospitals tend to offer higher pay scales compared to general practice clinics, indicating that the choice of working environment can significantly impact earnings in Erie.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,367 | $15.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,328 | $18.43 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $41,261 | $19.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49,606 | $23.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50,566 | $24.31 |
Median Salary Position
17.45% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Erie
In Erie, PA, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $18,199 (2026 est.). At $41,261, the local median is 17.45% below the national median of $49,986.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Erie: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Erie Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
Erie median: $41,261/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Erie Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $47,481 | -13.10% less |
| National Average | $49,986 | -17.45% less |
Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Erie, PA earn a median of $41,261 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.45% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 13.10% below the Pennsylvania state average of $47,481.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Erie has a cost of living 9.05% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Erie, PA has a cost-of-living index of 90.95 (below the national average of 100). A veterinary technologist and technician earning $41,261 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $45,367 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.95% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$26,860
2025 BLS Actual
$39,110
2026 Current Est.
$41,261
2019–2027 Growth
+62.1%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Erie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26,860 | Actual |
| 2020 | $27,980 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,340 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,970 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,050 | Actual |
| 2024 | $36,580 | Actual |
| 2025 | $39,110 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41,261 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $43,530 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Erie metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 45.6% from $26,860 (2019) to $39,110 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $43,530 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,670 (62.06%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Erie 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) | $32,367 – $38,328 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,328 – $41,261 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $41,261 – $49,606 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $49,606 – $50,566 |
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 Erie
The local job market has employed approximately 100 veterinary technologists and technicians, and while the cost of living index is at a relatively low 90.95, this can directly affect the take-home purchasing power for those in the field. Employers that typically pay the most include specialty referral hospitals and corporate chain hospitals such as VCA and BluePearl, which can offer differentials based on experience, certifications, and specialty credentials such as VTS. The disparity between the lower and upper salary ranges is influenced by several factors, including the presence of leadership roles, specialization in emergency critical care (ECC) or anesthesia, and corporate pay scales. For those looking to maximize their earnings in Erie, pursuing specialty certifications and seeking positions at 24-hour emergency clinics or specialty facilities may provide the best financial rewards.
More salary data for Erie, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can veterinary technologists and technicians make $100K in Erie?
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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 $39,110 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Erie 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