Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Burien, WA: $62,334 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Burien, WA earns a median $62,334/year (≈ $29.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Burien's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $58,039 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Veterinary technologists and technicians in Burien, WA, can expect a median salary of $62,334 in 2026, which is notably higher than the national average of $49,986. Annual earnings in this field show a wide range, from $48,420 at the lower end to $85,459 for the top earners. Local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data reflect the regional cost of living adjustments, which are pertinent given Burien's cost of living index of 107.4, indicating a relatively high standard of living. Pursuing the Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) specialty credential in areas such as emergency and critical care (ECC) or anesthesia can significantly enhance earning potential, offering an appealing pathway for those committed to advancing their careers in a competitive market.
About the Burien Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,420 | $23.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,804 | $24.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,334 | $29.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,524 | $37.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,459 | $41.08 |
Median Salary Position
24.70% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burien
In Burien, WA, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,039 (2026 est.). At $62,334, the local median is 24.7% above the national median of $49,986.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Burien: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Burien Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
Burien median: $62,334/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Burien Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $62,647 | -0.50% less |
| National Average | $49,986 | +24.70% more |
Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Burien, WA earn a median of $62,334 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.70% higher than the national median of $49,986 and 0.50% below the Washington state average of $62,647.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Burien has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Burien, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $62,334 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $58,039 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,045
2025 BLS Actual
$59,084
2026 Current Est.
$62,334
2019–2027 Growth
+49.3%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Burien (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,045 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,217 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,953 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,686 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,545 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,450 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,084 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,334 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,762 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Burien metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 34.1% from $44,045 (2019) to $59,084 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,762 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,717 (49.31%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burien 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) | $48,420 – $51,804 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,804 – $62,334 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,334 – $77,524 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,524 – $85,459 |
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 Burien
As the local job market currently employs only eight veterinary technologists and technicians, demand remains robust, providing opportunities for skilled individuals. The salary landscape in Burien is influenced by multiple factors, including the type of veterinary care setting. Specialty hospitals focused on emergency, surgery, and internal medicine typically offer higher salaries compared to general practice clinics, which can result in pay differentials due to expertise and higher responsibility levels. Corporate veterinary chains like VCA and BluePearl also contribute to the pay scale variations, often providing structured salary tiers and incentives that can benefit employees in Burien. Given the local cost of living, securing advanced credentials and gaining experience in high-demand specialties can be effective strategies for maximizing a veterinary technologist and technician's pay in this vibrant market.
More salary data for Burien, 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 $59,084 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Burien 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 Burien is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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