Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Rapid City, SD: $47,697 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Rapid City, SD earns a median $47,697/year (≈ $22.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Rapid City's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.2), that paycheck buys what $53,496 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% above the South Dakota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Rapid City, South Dakota, the projected median annual salary for a veterinary technologist and technician is set at $47,697 for 2026, which falls below the national median of $49,986. Salary prospects in the region range from $32,599 at the bottom tier to $52,317 at the upper echelon, reflecting a competitive landscape shaped by local demand and the vital role of veterinary technicians in clinical settings. Derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, these figures reveal the opportunities available in the city, especially for those seeking to achieve the Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) credentials in areas like emergency and critical care (ECC) or anesthesia, which can significantly enhance earning potential. The job market in Rapid City is promising for skilled professionals, particularly in high-demand specialties.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,599 | $15.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,457 | $18.97 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,697 | $22.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $49,395 | $23.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52,317 | $25.15 |
Median Salary Position
4.58% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rapid City
In Rapid City, SD, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $19,718 (2026 est.). At $47,697, the local median is 4.58% below the national median of $49,986.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rapid City: You'd be in the upper quartile
How Rapid City Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
Rapid City median: $47,697/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rapid City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $46,397 | +2.80% more |
| National Average | $49,986 | -4.58% less |
Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Rapid City, SD earn a median of $47,697 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.58% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 2.80% above the South Dakota state average of $46,397.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rapid City has a cost of living 10.84% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rapid City, SD has a cost-of-living index of 89.16 (below the national average of 100). A veterinary technologist and technician earning $47,697 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $53,496 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.16% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,340
2025 BLS Actual
$45,210
2026 Current Est.
$47,697
2019–2027 Growth
+38.5%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Rapid City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,340 | Actual |
| 2020 | $32,790 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,370 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,300 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,720 | Actual |
| 2024 | $42,210 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,210 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,697 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,320 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rapid City metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 24.4% from $36,340 (2019) to $45,210 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,320 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,980 (38.47%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rapid City 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) | $32,599 – $39,457 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,457 – $47,697 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,697 – $49,395 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $49,395 – $52,317 |
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 Rapid City
Examining the local job market reveals that approximately 50 veterinary technologists and technicians are employed in Rapid City, reflecting a growing recognition of their value in veterinary practices. With a cost of living index of 89.16, practitioners in the area enjoy a favorable financial environment, enhancing their taking-home pay and purchasing power compared to the national average. Among employers, specialty referral hospitals and corporate chain hospitals like VCA and BluePearl tend to offer higher pay, influenced by the complexity of care required and differing corporate pay scales. Variations in salaries are largely influenced by factors such as VTS specialty credentials, which can command substantial pay increases, and the differences in compensation between general practice and specialty settings. To maximize earnings in Rapid City, pursuing specialty certifications and seeking employment with specialty hospitals or corporate chains can be strategic moves for veterinary technologists and technicians aiming to elevate their career and salary potential.
More salary data for Rapid City, SD:
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 $45,210 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Rapid City 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