Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Salt Lake City, UT: $47,728 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Salt Lake City, UT earns a median $47,728/year (≈ $22.95/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Salt Lake City's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.9), that paycheck buys what $47,317 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 17.7% above the Utah state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Salt Lake City, UT, presents a competitive environment for veterinary technologists and technicians, with a median annual salary projected at $47,728 for 2026. This figure places the city's pay roughly 4.52% below the national median of $49,986, highlighting the local market's nuances. The salary range in Salt Lake City varies significantly, from $32,526 at the 10th percentile to $58,373 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected to 2026, indicates a diverse pay scale influenced by factors such as employer types and job roles in the area. With large organizations like VCA and BluePearl active in the market, competition helps drive overall compensation for veterinary professionals, ensuring that those entering the field are aware of the available earning potential.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,526 | $15.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,153 | $19.31 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,728 | $22.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50,608 | $24.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $58,373 | $28.06 |
Median Salary Position
4.52% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salt Lake City
In Salt Lake City, UT, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,847 (2026 est.). At $47,728, the local median is 4.52% below the national median of $49,986.
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At 40 hours/week in Salt Lake City: You'd be above the median
How Salt Lake City Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
Salt Lake City median: $47,728/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Salt Lake City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Utah Average | $40,551 | +17.70% more |
| National Average | $49,986 | -4.52% less |
Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Salt Lake City, UT earn a median of $47,728 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.52% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 17.70% above the Utah state average of $40,551.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Salt Lake City has a cost of living 0.87% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Salt Lake City, UT has a cost-of-living index of 100.868 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $47,728 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $47,317 — a 0.86% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$31,130
2025 BLS Actual
$45,240
2026 Current Est.
$47,728
2019–2027 Growth
+61.8%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Salt Lake City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,130 | Actual |
| 2020 | $32,270 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,150 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,850 | Actual |
| 2023 | $39,360 | Actual |
| 2024 | $40,020 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,240 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,728 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,353 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Salt Lake City metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 45.3% from $31,130 (2019) to $45,240 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,353 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,223 (61.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salt Lake 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) | $32,526 – $40,153 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,153 – $47,728 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,728 – $50,608 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $50,608 – $58,373 |
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 Salt Lake City
The local job market for veterinary technologists and technicians in Salt Lake City is robust, with approximately 680 professionals employed in the industry. Even with a cost-of-living index of 100.868, slightly above the national average, the earning power remains relatively steady. Various employers contribute differently to pay structures, with corporate chain hospitals generally offering higher salaries compared to general practices. Specialty referral hospitals also present opportunities for increased earnings, especially for those with VTS specialty credentials in fields like emergency and critical care or anesthesia, which can command top-tier wages. Factors such as experience, responsibility level, and work setting dramatically influence the pay spectrum, leading to disparities between entry-level positions and those held by seasoned professionals. For those seeking to maximize their income within this competitive climate, pursuing specialty certifications, considering roles in corporate or specialty hospitals, and gaining additional responsibilities can be effective strategies.
More salary data for Salt Lake City, UT:
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 $45,240 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Salt Lake 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