Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Richmond, VA: $56,147 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Richmond, VA earns a median $56,147/year (≈ $27.00/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Richmond's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 97.9), that paycheck buys what $57,376 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.5% above the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinary technologists and technicians in Richmond, Virginia, can expect to see a median annual salary of $56,147 in 2026, which reflects a significant premium compared to the national average of $49,986. The salary range for these professionals spans from $39,246 at the lower percentile to $75,696 at the higher end, showcasing the varied opportunities available within the market. This data, derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, highlights the competitive pay scale influenced by major corporate entities like VCA and BluePearl, which have established salary benchmarks in the region. In a city with a growing need for skilled veterinary professionals, Richmond's pay structure operates favorably, reaffirming its appeal for those entering or advancing in the field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,246 | $18.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,598 | $24.33 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,147 | $27.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,948 | $31.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,696 | $36.40 |
Median Salary Position
12.33% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Richmond
In Richmond, VA, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,450 (2026 est.). At $56,147, the local median is 12.33% above the national median of $49,986.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Richmond: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Richmond Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
Richmond median: $56,147/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Richmond Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $50,356 | +11.50% more |
| National Average | $49,986 | +12.33% more |
Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Richmond, VA earn a median of $56,147 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.33% higher than the national median of $49,986 and 11.50% above the Virginia state average of $50,356.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Richmond has a cost of living 2.14% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Richmond, VA has a cost-of-living index of 97.858 (below the national average of 100). A veterinary technologist and technician earning $56,147 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $57,376 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.19% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,750
2025 BLS Actual
$53,220
2026 Current Est.
$56,147
2019–2027 Growth
+41.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Richmond (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,750 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,420 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,510 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,270 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,240 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,990 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,220 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,147 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,235 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Richmond metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 27.5% from $41,750 (2019) to $53,220 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,235 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,485 (41.88%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Richmond 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) | $39,246 – $50,598 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,598 – $56,147 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,147 – $65,948 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,948 – $75,696 |
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 Richmond
The local job market supports approximately 420 veterinary technologists and technicians, necessary for meeting the demands of the animal care sector in Richmond. Given a cost-of-living index of 97.858, earning potential here allows for a comfortable lifestyle, despite slightly lower living expenses than the national average. Employers that typically offer higher wages include corporate chains, specialty referral hospitals, and university teaching hospitals, as well as those in pharmaceutical research labs. The disparity in pay can often be attributed to advanced training, such as acquiring a VTS specialty credential, which significantly boosts earning capacity. For veterinary professionals looking to maximize their salary in Richmond, pursuing specialty credentials and seeking higher-tier employers can be effective strategies, as many high-paying positions offer additional compensation through shift differentials or lead positions.
More salary data for Richmond, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinary technologists and technicians make in Richmond, VA in 2026?
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Can veterinary technologists and technicians make $100K in Richmond?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted veterinary technologist and technician salary in Richmond?
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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 $53,220 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Richmond 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