Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Roanoke, VA: $49,553 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Roanoke, VA earns a median $49,553/year (≈ $23.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Roanoke's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $52,931 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Roanoke, VA, the projected 2026 median annual salary for veterinary technologists and technicians stands at $49,553, slightly below the national median of $49,986. Compensation ranges from $36,651 at the 10th percentile to $65,885 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse pay structure influenced by the type of veterinary practice. These values are derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, which showcase the area's appeal for both general practice settings and specialized veterinary hospitals. Job seekers in Roanoke can find rewarding opportunities within this pay scale, particularly in specialty practices that typically offer higher salaries compared to general clinics.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,651 | $17.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,391 | $22.79 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,553 | $23.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,770 | $29.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $65,885 | $31.67 |
Median Salary Position
0.87% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Roanoke
In Roanoke, VA, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,234 (2026 est.). At $49,553, the local median is 0.87% below the national median of $49,986.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Roanoke: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Roanoke Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
Roanoke median: $49,553/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Roanoke Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $50,359 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $49,986 | -0.87% less |
Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Roanoke, VA earn a median of $49,553 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.87% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 1.60% below the Virginia state average of $50,359.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Roanoke has a cost of living 6.38% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Roanoke, VA has a cost-of-living index of 93.618 (below the national average of 100). A veterinary technologist and technician earning $49,553 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $52,931 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.82% boost.
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
$36,840
2025 BLS Actual
$46,970
2026 Current Est.
$49,553
2019–2027 Growth
+41.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Roanoke (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,840 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,920 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,630 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,080 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,470 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,490 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,970 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,553 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,279 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Roanoke metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 27.5% from $36,840 (2019) to $46,970 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,279 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,439 (41.91%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Roanoke 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) | $36,651 – $47,391 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,391 – $49,553 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,553 – $61,770 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,770 – $65,885 |
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 Roanoke
In Roanoke, employment for veterinary technologists and technicians is relatively stable, with around 100 professionals in the field. The cost of living index is notably low at 93.618, which enhances the overall purchasing power for workers in this occupation. Among local employers, specialty referral hospitals, such as those for emergency care or oncology, tend to pay the highest wages, often exceeding those of general practice clinics and corporate chains. The salary spread is influenced by various factors, including specialization, shift differentials, and experience levels. For those aiming to maximize their veterinary technologist and technician pay in Roanoke, pursuing the VTS specialty credential can significantly boost earning potential. Additionally, seeking employment at corporate chains like VCA or BluePearl may also offer competitive compensation packages compared to independent practices.
More salary data for Roanoke, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinary technologists and technicians make in Roanoke, VA in 2026?
Is Roanoke, VA a good place to work as a veterinary technologist and technician?
Can veterinary technologists and technicians make $100K in Roanoke?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted veterinary technologist and technician salary in Roanoke?
How much does a veterinary technologist and technician make per hour in Roanoke?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Virginia
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 $46,970 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Roanoke 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