Vet Tech salary

Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Radford, VA: $55,776 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Radford, VA earns a median $55,776/year (≈ $26.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Radford's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $54,047 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.7% above the Virginia state average.

$55,776
Median Annual Salary
$26.82/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$43,981
Entry Level (P10)
$67,904
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Radford, VA — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Radford, VA veterinary technologist and technician salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In 2026, the veterinary technologist and technician salary in Radford, VA, is projected to reach a median annual figure of $55,776, surpassing the national median of $49,986 by a notable margin of 11.58%. Salary ranges within the area are expected to vary significantly, from $43,981 at the 10th percentile to $67,904 at the 90th percentile. These figures result from estimates based on 2025 BLS data adjusted for local economic conditions, reflecting the robust pay gradient afforded by different practice settings. Specialty hospitals, with endpoints in emergency care, anesthesia, or internal medicine, typically offer higher compensation compared to general practice veterinary clinics. As the demand for skilled veterinary professionals continues to rise, Radford's job market appears favorable for job seekers in this field.

About the Radford Market

Salary estimated from Virginia average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$43,981$21.14
Lower Range (P25)$48,644$23.39
Median (P50)(typical)$55,776$26.82
Upper Range (P75)$64,794$31.15
Top Earners (P90)$67,904$32.64

Median Salary Position

$43,981$67,904
City Median: $55,776
National: $49,986
P10–P90 Range

11.58% above the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Radford

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for veterinary technologist and technicians in Radford. The median salary is $55,776, compared to the national median of $49,986.$39.6K$47.5K$55.4K$63.4K$71.3K$44.0K10th Pctl$48.6K25th Pctl$55.8KMedian$64.8K75th Pctl$67.9K90th PctlUS Median$50.0K

In Radford, VA, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,923 (2026 est.). At $55,776, the local median is 11.58% above the national median of $49,986.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of veterinary technologist and technician pay in the Radford metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$1,073
per week
$4,648
per month
$55,782
per year

At 40 hours/week in Radford: You'd be in the lower-middle range

How Radford Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares

Radford median: $55,776/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryRadford Pays
Virginia Average$50,385+10.70% more
National Average$49,986+11.58% more
Horizontal bar chart comparing veterinary technologist and technician median salary in Radford ($55,776) with Virginia average ($50,385) and the US national median ($49,986).Radford$55,776Virginia Avg$50,385+10.70%US National$49,986+11.58%

Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Radford, VA earn a median of $55,776 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.58% higher than the national median of $49,986 and 10.70% above the Virginia state average of $50,385.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$55,776
Nominal Salary
103.2
CoL Index
$54,047
Adjusted Salary

Radford has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.

Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $55,776. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 103.2, the purchasing-power equivalent is $54,047, a loss of $1,729.$42.5K$47.9K$53.3K$58.7K$64.1K$55,776NominalSalary$54,047CoL Adjusted(CoL: 103.2) -3.10%US Median $50.0K

Radford, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $55,776 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $54,047 — a 3.1% reduction.

Compare Purchasing Power

Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living

Select a city above to compare purchasing power

2019 BLS Actual

$39,411

2025 BLS Actual

$52,868

2026 Current Est.

$55,776

2019–2027 Growth

+49.3%

Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Radford (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 Radford. Baseline $39,411 in 2025, projected to $58,843 by 2027.$35.5K$42.3K$49.1K$55.9K$62.7K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$39.4K$40.5K$41.1K$42.7K$48.8K$39.5K$52.9K$55.8K$58.8K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$39,411Actual
2020$40,460Actual
2021$41,118Actual
2022$42,669Actual
2023$48,806Actual
2024$39,481Actual
2025$52,868Actual
2026(current)$55,776Estimated
2027$58,843Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Radford metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 34.1% from $39,411 (2019) to $52,868 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,843 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,432 (49.31%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Radford 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.

Salary by Experience Level

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$43,981$48,644
3-5 years (Mid Career)$48,644$55,776
5+ years (Experienced)$55,776$64,794
10+ years (Top Earner)$64,794$67,904

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 Radford

Radford's local job market currently employs six veterinary technologists and technicians, highlighting a limited but focused workforce that may create opportunities for growth. With a cost-of-living index of 103.2, the purchasing power in Radford reflects slightly above the national average, emphasizing the importance of competitive pay for attracting talent. Employers like specialty referral hospitals and corporate chains such as VCA and BluePearl often provide higher salaries compared to general practices, particularly for those with advanced certifications, such as the Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS). Variation in pay is driven by factors such as specialty credentials, the type of practice setting, and shift differentials in 24-hour emergency care facilities. For those looking to maximize their compensation in Radford, pursuing additional qualifications, seeking roles in specialty hospitals, or negotiating for mentor or lead positions can significantly enhance earning potential.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do veterinary technologists and technicians make in Radford, VA in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median veterinary technologist and technician salary in Radford is $55,776/year ($26.82/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 5.50% annual growth). Salaries range from $43,981 at entry level (10th percentile) to $67,904 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Radford at 11.6% above the national median. Full-time veterinary technologists and technicians typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Radford, VA a good place to work as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Radford veterinary technologist and technician salaries are 11.6% above the national average and 10.7% above the Virginia state average. The metro area employs approximately 6 veterinary technologists and technicians. With a cost-of-living index of 103.2, you should factor in higher living costs when evaluating compensation. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can veterinary technologists and technicians make $100K in Radford?

The median veterinary technologist and technician salary in Radford is $55,776, and the 90th percentile earns $67,904. Reaching $100K in this market typically requires a combination of advanced certifications, working at multiple practices, or transitioning into education or consulting roles.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted veterinary technologist and technician salary in Radford?

After adjusting for Radford's cost-of-living index of 103.2 (where 100 equals the national average), the $55,776 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $54,047 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Radford reduce the effective value of your salary by 3.1% compared to the national average — consider negotiating higher base pay or exploring nearby lower-cost metros.

How much does a veterinary technologist and technician make per hour in Radford?

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Radford earn a median hourly rate of $26.82, which translates to approximately $55,776/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $21.14 for entry-level positions to $32.64 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem veterinary technologists and technicians sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Virginia

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

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 $52,868 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Radford 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

Salary data for Radford is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

Last verified: