Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Bellingham, WA: $62,625 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Bellingham, WA earns a median $62,625/year (≈ $30.11/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Bellingham's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.3), that paycheck buys what $60,604 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Washington state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Reaching the VTS specialty credential pathway—particularly in emergency critical care or anesthesia—can significantly enhance earning potential in Bellingham's veterinary field. The projected median annual veterinary technologist and technician salary in Bellingham is $62,625, representing a noteworthy 25.29% increase compared to the national median of $49,986. With salaries ranging from $49,300 at the 10th percentile to $78,197 at the 90th percentile, there is considerable opportunity for growth, especially for those who pursue specialized credentials. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected for 2026, situates Bellingham as a competitive market for veterinary technicians, underscoring the demand for skilled professionals in both general practice and specialty areas.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,300 | $23.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,081 | $24.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,625 | $30.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,984 | $32.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,197 | $37.59 |
Median Salary Position
25.29% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bellingham
In Bellingham, WA, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,897 (2026 est.). At $62,625, the local median is 25.29% above the national median of $49,986.
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At 40 hours/week in Bellingham: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bellingham Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
Bellingham median: $62,625/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bellingham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $49,986 | +25.29% more |
Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Bellingham, WA earn a median of $62,625 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.29% higher than the national median of $49,986.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bellingham has a cost of living 3.33% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bellingham, WA has a cost-of-living index of 103.334 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $62,625 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $60,604 — a 3.23% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,140
2025 BLS Actual
$59,360
2026 Current Est.
$62,625
2019–2027 Growth
+49.7%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Bellingham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,140 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,000 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,950 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,910 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,640 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,240 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,360 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,625 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,069 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bellingham metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 34.5% from $44,140 (2019) to $59,360 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,069 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,929 (49.68%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bellingham 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) | $49,300 – $50,081 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,081 – $62,625 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,625 – $67,984 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,984 – $78,197 |
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 Bellingham
In Bellingham, the job market for veterinary technologists and technicians is relatively robust, with 100 individuals currently employed in this role. However, the cost of living index stands at 103.334, slightly above the national average, which impacts the take-home purchasing power for local technicians. Employers in the area, such as specialty referral hospitals and corporate chain hospitals like VCA and BluePearl, typically offer the highest wages, particularly for those with VTS credentials in emergency or anesthesia. Factors contributing to the salary spectrum include the experience level, the type of practice setting—specialty hospitals tend to pay more compared to general practices—and additional responsibilities, such as mentorship roles or shift differentials in 24-hour emergency facilities. Maximizing earning potential often involves pursuing specialized training and actively seeking positions within higher-paying facilities or corporate chains, which recognize the value of advanced skills and certifications.
More salary data for Bellingham, WA:
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 $59,360 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Bellingham 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