Vet Tech salary

Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in South Carolina: $43,078 (2026)

Quick Answer:Across South Carolina's 26 metropolitan areas, the average median veterinary technologist and technician pay sits at $43,078/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2056. Because South Carolina sits at BEA RPP 91.5 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $47,080 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Greer ($46,843), Anderson ($46,796), Greenville ($45,740).

Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in South Carolina - 2025 BLS Data Infographic
South Carolina veterinary technologist and technician salary overview (2026)
$43,078
Avg Median Salary
$20.71
Avg Hourly Rate
2,139
Metro Employed
26
Cities

In South Carolina, the average median salary for veterinary technologists and technicians is projected to be $43,078 in 2026, which is significantly lower than the national median of $49,986, resulting in a salary gap of approximately 13.8%. The highest-paying city in the state is Greer, where salaries are expected to reach $49,419, while Clemson has the lowest at $37,015, leading to a difference of $12,404. This disparity is influenced by various factors, including the cost of living, local demand for veterinary services, and the availability of jobs. South Carolina requires veterinary technologists and technicians to be licensed and adhere to specific scope of practice laws that define the roles and responsibilities in the veterinary field. The state’s growing pet population and increased focus on animal health are drivers of demand for veterinary services, expected to contribute to an annual growth rate of 5.50% in employment opportunities from the previous year. With a total employment of 2,139 professionals in the state, cities like Anderson ($49,370), Greenville ($48,256), North Charleston ($45,233), and Charleston ($44,289) also offer competitive salaries. Monitoring these trends can help prospective technicians and technologists make informed decisions about their career paths in South Carolina.

South Carolina Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary Range

Entry Level (10th %ile)
$36,264
avg across 26 cities
Median
$43,078
state average
Top Earners (90th %ile)
$59,013
avg across 26 cities

Overall salary range in South Carolina: $28,941 (lowest entry-level) to $69,577 (highest top earner)

South Carolina vs National Average

South Carolina
$43,078
National Median
$49,986

South Carolina veterinary technologists and technicians earn 13.82% less than the national median ($-6,908/year difference).

South Carolina Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary Distribution (2026)

Vertical bar chart showing South Carolina veterinary technologist and technician salary percentiles: 10th percentile $36,264, 25th $38,421, Median $43,078, 75th $53,102, 90th $59,013. US national median is $49,986.$16.5K$33.0K$49.6K$66.1K$36.3K10thEntry Level$38.4K25thEarly Career$43.1KMedianMid Career$53.1K75thExperienced$59.0K90thTop EarnerUS Median $50.0K

Veterinary Technologist and Technician salaries in South Carolina range from $36,264 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $59,013 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $43,078. The South Carolina median is $6,908 below the US national median of $49,986. The average hourly rate is $20.71/hr. Approximately 2,139 veterinary technologist and technicians are employed across 26 cities.

2019 BLS Actual

$34,152

2025 BLS Actual

$40,832

2026 Current Est.

$43,078

2019–2027 Growth

+33.1%

Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in South Carolina (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for veterinary technologists and technicians in South Carolina. Baseline $34,152 in 2025, projected to $45,447 by 2027.$31.9K$35.8K$39.8K$43.8K$47.7K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$34.2K$34.6K$37.2K$37.6K$41.0K$39.9K$40.8K$43.1K$45.4K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$34,152Actual
2020$34,580Actual
2021$37,223Actual
2022$37,636Actual
2023$41,013Actual
2024$39,920Actual
2025$40,832Actual
2026(current)$43,078Estimated
2027$45,447Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Carolina metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 19.6% from $34,152 (2019) to $40,832 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $45,447 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,295 (33.07%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Carolina metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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 South Carolina

#1
Greer
8 employed · $23.76/hr
$49,419
+14.72% vs avg
#2
Anderson
5 employed · $23.74/hr
$49,370
+14.61% vs avg
#3
Greenville
520 employed · $23.20/hr
$48,256
+12.02% vs avg
#4
North Charleston
22 employed · $21.74/hr
$45,233
+5.00% vs avg
#5
Charleston
560 employed · $21.29/hr
$44,289
+2.81% vs avg

Lowest Paying Cities in South Carolina

CityMedian Salary
Tega Cay$37,084
Easley$37,290
Conway$37,901
Lexington$37,966
Sumter$38,280

Best Value Cities for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in South Carolina

When adjusted for local cost of living, these South Carolina cities offer the most purchasing power for veterinary technologists and technicians.

CityNominal SalaryCoL IndexAdjusted Salary
Greer$49,41991.5$54,010
Anderson$49,37091.5$53,956
Greenville$48,25693.26$51,744
North Charleston$45,23391.5$49,435
Mount Pleasant$40,78591.5$44,574

Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.

Salary by Experience Level in South Carolina

Experience LevelEstimated Annual
Entry Level (0-2 years)$36,264
Mid Career (3-7 years)$43,078
Experienced (7+ years)$59,013

Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across South Carolina metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

All 25 Cities in South Carolina

#CityMedian Salary
1Greer$49,419
2Anderson$49,370
3Greenville$48,256
4North Charleston$45,233
5Charleston$44,289
6Mount Pleasant$40,785
7Columbia$40,501
8Hilton Head Island$40,196
9Rock Hill$40,034
10Aiken$39,858
11Hanahan$39,802
12Mauldin$39,568
13Bluffton$39,432
14Summerville$39,356
15Simpsonville$38,707
16Fort Mill$38,689
17Florence$38,676
18Spartanburg$38,676
19Myrtle Beach$38,613
20Goose Creek$38,598
21Sumter$38,280
22Lexington$37,966
23Conway$37,901
24Easley$37,290
25Tega Cay$37,084

More South Carolina Salary Data

Hourly Rates

Explore veterinary technologist and technician hourly pay in South Carolina cities.

Entry Level

Starting salaries for new veterinary technologists and technicians.

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 South Carolina in 2026?

The average median veterinary technologist and technician salary in South Carolina is $43,078/year across 26 metro areas, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Salaries range from $37,015 in Clemson to $49,419 in Greer. This makes South Carolina 13.82% below the national median of $49,986. The state employs approximately 2,139 veterinary technologists and technicians.

What is the highest paying city for veterinary technologists and technicians in South Carolina?

Greer offers the highest veterinary technologist and technician salary in South Carolina at $49,419/year ($23.76/hr), based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). The top 3 highest-paying cities are Greer ($49,419), Anderson ($49,370), Greenville ($48,256). Higher pay in these metros is typically driven by cost of living, demand for veterinary technology services, and competition among employers for licensed veterinary technologists and technicians.

How does South Carolina veterinary technologist and technician pay compare to the national average?

South Carolina's average veterinary technologist and technician salary of $43,078 is 13.82% below the national median of $49,986 in 2026. The state employs approximately 2,139 veterinary technologists and technicians across 26 metropolitan areas. When comparing salaries, consider cost-of-living differences — a lower nominal salary in an affordable area may provide better purchasing power than a higher salary in an expensive metro.

What is the entry-level veterinary technologist and technician salary in South Carolina?

Entry-level veterinary technologists and technicians (10th percentile) in South Carolina earn approximately $36,264/year on average, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Starting salaries range from $28,941 in lower-paying areas to $39,795 in the highest-paying metros. New graduates should expect salaries at the lower end and can typically reach the area median within 3–5 years of clinical experience.

How many veterinary technologists and technicians are employed in South Carolina?

South Carolina employs approximately 2,139 veterinary technologists and technicians across 26 metropolitan areas, based on the latest BLS data. Job availability varies by metro area, with larger cities offering more opportunities. Demand continues to grow as the veterinary technology field expands and the population ages.

Which South Carolina city offers the best value for veterinary technologists and technicians?

When adjusted for cost of living, Greer offers the highest purchasing power for veterinary technologists and technicians in South Carolina, with an adjusted salary of $54,010 (nominal: $49,419, CoL index: 91.5). This means your dollar goes 9% further compared to the national average, making it an attractive option for maximizing real income.
JL

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.

Clinically reviewed by Sofia Patel, RVTData verified by Mark Chen, LVT

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 South Carolina. State averages are employment-weighted across 26 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

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