Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Puerto Rico: $29,337 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Puerto Rico's 2 metropolitan areas, the average median veterinary technologist and technician pay sits at $29,337/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2056. Because Puerto Rico sits at BEA RPP 75.0 (25% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $39,116 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: San Juan ($28,150), Arecibo ($24,810).
In Puerto Rico, veterinary technologists and technicians can expect a median salary of $29,336 in 2026, which is significantly lower than the national median of $49,986, reflecting a salary gap of 41.3%. Among cities, San Juan offers the highest pay at $29,698, while Arecibo presents the lowest at $26,175, resulting in a difference of $3,523. This disparity is influenced by the cost of living, demand for veterinary services, and the availability of veterinary practices in urban versus rural areas. The profession in Puerto Rico requires state licensing, and technicians must be familiar with specific scope of practice laws that can affect job responsibilities and salary. Factors driving demand include the increasing ownership of pets and a growing awareness of animal health. The job market is projected to grow at an annual rate of 5.50%, indicating steady opportunities for employment. Currently, there are around 390 veterinary technologists and technicians employed across the two primary metropolitan areas. As the industry evolves and demand increases, those entering the field should stay informed about ongoing changes in regulations, education requirements, and advancements in veterinary medicine to enhance their career prospects in Puerto Rico.
Puerto Rico Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary Range
Overall salary range in Puerto Rico: $23,041 (lowest entry-level) to $54,565 (highest top earner)
Puerto Rico vs National Average
Puerto Rico veterinary technologists and technicians earn 41.31% less than the national median ($-20,649/year difference).
Puerto Rico Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary Distribution (2026)
Veterinary Technologist and Technician salaries in Puerto Rico range from $24,424 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $53,758 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $29,337. The Puerto Rico median is $20,649 below the US national median of $49,986. The average hourly rate is $14.10/hr. Approximately 390 veterinary technologist and technicians are employed across 2 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$19,030
2025 BLS Actual
$27,807
2026 Current Est.
$29,337
2019–2027 Growth
+62.6%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Puerto Rico (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19,030 | Actual |
| 2020 | $19,060 | Actual |
| 2021 | $22,580 | Actual |
| 2022 | $23,720 | Actual |
| 2023 | $24,330 | Actual |
| 2024 | $23,466 | Actual |
| 2025 | $27,807 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29,337 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30,950 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Puerto Rico metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 46.1% from $19,030 (2019) to $27,807 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $30,950 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,920 (62.64%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Puerto Rico 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 2 Highest Paying Cities in Puerto Rico
Salary by Experience Level in Puerto Rico
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $24,424 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $29,337 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $53,758 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Puerto Rico metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 2 Cities in Puerto Rico
More Puerto Rico Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore veterinary technologist and technician hourly pay in Puerto Rico cities.
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 Puerto Rico in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for veterinary technologists and technicians in Puerto Rico?
How does Puerto Rico veterinary technologist and technician pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level veterinary technologist and technician salary in Puerto Rico?
How many veterinary technologists and technicians are employed in Puerto Rico?
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 Puerto Rico. State averages are employment-weighted across 2 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