Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Kennewick, WA: $64,429 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Kennewick, WA earns a median $64,429/year (≈ $30.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Kennewick's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 100.1), that paycheck buys what $64,378 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.9% above the Washington state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, veterinary technologists and technicians in Kennewick, WA, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $64,429, significantly higher than the national median of $49,986, representing a remarkable increase of 28.89%. Salaries in this region vary widely, with the lowest earners making approximately $49,237 and the highest reaching up to $81,341. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, reflecting a strong local demand for skilled veterinary professionals. Specialization, particularly through pathways like the Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) in Emergency and Critical Care or anesthesia, can place candidates at the upper end of this pay scale, underscoring the lucrative potential of these credentials in Kennewick's veterinary job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,237 | $23.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,668 | $25.81 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,429 | $30.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,524 | $31.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,341 | $39.11 |
Median Salary Position
28.89% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kennewick
In Kennewick, WA, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,104 (2026 est.). At $64,429, the local median is 28.89% above the national median of $49,986.
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At 40 hours/week in Kennewick: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kennewick Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
Kennewick median: $64,429/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kennewick Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $62,613 | +2.90% more |
| National Average | $49,986 | +28.89% more |
Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Kennewick, WA earn a median of $64,429 per year (2026 est.), which is 28.89% higher than the national median of $49,986 and 2.90% above the Washington state average of $62,613.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kennewick has a cost of living 0.08% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kennewick, WA has a cost-of-living index of 100.079 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $64,429 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $64,378 — a 0.08% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,760
2025 BLS Actual
$61,070
2026 Current Est.
$64,429
2019–2027 Growth
+84.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Kennewick (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,760 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,590 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,130 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,610 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,378 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,980 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,070 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,429 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,972 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kennewick metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 66.1% from $36,760 (2019) to $61,070 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,972 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,212 (84.91%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kennewick 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) | $49,237 – $53,668 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,668 – $64,429 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,429 – $64,524 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,524 – $81,341 |
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 Kennewick
Kennewick’s job market for veterinary technologists and technicians employs around 50 individuals, a figure that highlights a steady, albeit competitive demand within the community. Given a cost-of-living index of 100.079, professionals in this area enjoy a reasonable take-home purchasing power, though typical expenditures must be considered. Employers such as specialty referral hospitals and corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl often offer the most lucrative salaries, driven by their distinct pay scales and the demand for specialized skills. Factors such as VTS credentials and shifts in corporate consolidation significantly influence the pay landscape, where advanced expertise can command superior compensation compared to general practice settings. As those in the field seek to maximize their salaries, pursuing formal certification and exploring employment in specialized facilities can prove to be effective strategies to achieve a competitive advantage in Kennewick’s veterinary sector.
More salary data for Kennewick, 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 $61,070 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Kennewick 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, 6-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