Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Staunton, VA: $48,825 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Staunton, VA earns a median $48,825/year (≈ $23.47/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Staunton's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.1), that paycheck buys what $53,578 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.1% below the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinary technologists and technicians in Staunton, VA, can expect a median annual salary of $48,825 in 2026, which reflects a slight decline compared to the national median of $49,986. With a salary range spanning from $38,444 at the 10th percentile to $59,776 at the 90th percentile, these professionals can benefit from advancing their skills, particularly by pursuing the Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) credential in areas like Emergency and Critical Care (ECC) or anesthesia. This specialized certification not only enhances credibility but also can lead to higher earning potential as specialized roles typically command better salaries. Such projections are derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, providing a reliable snapshot of the local market dynamics.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,444 | $18.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,321 | $21.31 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,825 | $23.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52,317 | $25.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59,776 | $28.74 |
Median Salary Position
2.32% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Staunton
In Staunton, VA, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,332 (2026 est.). At $48,825, the local median is 2.32% below the national median of $49,986.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Staunton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Staunton Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
Staunton median: $48,825/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Staunton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $50,387 | -3.10% less |
| National Average | $49,986 | -2.32% less |
Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Staunton, VA earn a median of $48,825 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.32% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 3.10% below the Virginia state average of $50,387.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Staunton has a cost of living 8.87% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Staunton, VA has a cost-of-living index of 91.128 (below the national average of 100). A veterinary technologist and technician earning $48,825 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $53,578 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.73% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$39,550
2025 BLS Actual
$46,280
2026 Current Est.
$48,825
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Staunton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,550 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,350 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,940 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,200 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,170 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,830 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,280 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,825 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,511 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Staunton metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 17.0% from $39,550 (2019) to $46,280 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,511 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,961 (30.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Staunton 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) | $38,444 – $44,321 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,321 – $48,825 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,825 – $52,317 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $52,317 – $59,776 |
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 Staunton
With around 50 veterinary technologists and technicians employed in Staunton, the local job market indicates a healthy demand for these professionals, particularly given the current workforce shortages in the veterinary field. The cost of living in Staunton is indexed at 91.128, which is below the national average, allowing for stretched purchasing power despite slightly lower local salaries. Various employers contribute to the pay disparities in the region. General practice veterinary clinics typically offer lower wages compared to corporate chain hospitals like VCA and BluePearl, which may implement differentiated pay scales. Specialty referral hospitals are often at the higher end of the pay scale due to the complexity and expertise required. To maximize pay potential, veterinary technologists and technicians should consider seeking VTS specialization, gaining experience in high-demand specialties, and exploring opportunities in corporate and specialty practices that offer competitive compensation and benefits.
More salary data for Staunton, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinary technologists and technicians make in Staunton, VA in 2026?
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Can veterinary technologists and technicians make $100K in Staunton?
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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 $46,280 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Staunton 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