Vet Tech salary

Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Wenatchee, WA: $59,379 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Wenatchee, WA earns a median $59,379/year (≈ $28.55/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Wenatchee's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $55,288 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.2% below the Washington state average.

$59,379
Median Annual Salary
$28.55/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$46,604
Entry Level (P10)
$75,601
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Wenatchee, WA — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Wenatchee, WA veterinary technologist and technician salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

For those pursuing a career as a veterinary technologist or technician in Wenatchee, WA, the 2026 median annual salary is projected at $59,379, which is significantly above the national median of $49,986. The salary range in the area spans from $46,604 at the 10th percentile to $75,601 at the 90th percentile, reflecting varying levels of experience and specialization. With an increasing demand for professionals who can achieve the Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) credential, particularly in emergency and critical care (ECC) or anesthesia, those who advance in their career can significantly amplify their earnings. This elevated earning potential not only attracts skilled individuals but also highlights Wenatchee's growing importance as a hub for veterinary care and specialization within Washington.

About the Wenatchee Market

Salary estimated from Washington average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$46,604$22.41
Lower Range (P25)$49,405$23.75
Median (P50)(typical)$59,379$28.55
Upper Range (P75)$72,143$34.69
Top Earners (P90)$75,601$36.34

Median Salary Position

$46,604$75,601
City Median: $59,379
National: $49,986
P10–P90 Range

18.79% above the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wenatchee

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for veterinary technologist and technicians in Wenatchee. The median salary is $59,379, compared to the national median of $49,986.$41.9K$51.3K$60.7K$70.0K$79.4K$46.6K10th Pctl$49.4K25th Pctl$59.4KMedian$72.1K75th Pctl$75.6K90th PctlUS Median$50.0K

In Wenatchee, WA, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,997 (2026 est.). At $59,379, the local median is 18.79% above the national median of $49,986.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of veterinary technologist and technician pay in the Wenatchee metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$1,142
per week
$4,948
per month
$59,380
per year

At 40 hours/week in Wenatchee: You'd be in the lower-middle range

How Wenatchee Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares

Wenatchee median: $59,379/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryWenatchee Pays
Washington Average$62,636-5.20% less
National Average$49,986+18.79% more
Horizontal bar chart comparing veterinary technologist and technician median salary in Wenatchee ($59,379) with Washington average ($62,636) and the US national median ($49,986).Wenatchee$59,379Washington Avg$62,636-5.20%US National$49,986+18.79%

Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Wenatchee, WA earn a median of $59,379 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.79% higher than the national median of $49,986 and 5.20% below the Washington state average of $62,636.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$59,379
Nominal Salary
107.4
CoL Index
$55,288
Adjusted Salary

Wenatchee has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.

Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $59,379. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 107.4, the purchasing-power equivalent is $55,288, a loss of $4,091.$42.5K$48.9K$55.4K$61.8K$68.3K$59,379NominalSalary$55,288CoL Adjusted(CoL: 107.4) -6.89%US Median $50.0K

Wenatchee, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $59,379 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $55,288 — a 6.89% reduction.

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2019 BLS Actual

$30,470

2025 BLS Actual

$56,283

2026 Current Est.

$59,379

2019–2027 Growth

+105.6%

Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Wenatchee (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for veterinary technologists and technicians in Wenatchee. Baseline $30,470 in 2025, projected to $62,644 by 2027.$24.0K$35.3K$46.6K$57.8K$69.1K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$30.5K$31.2K$43.8K$45.4K$52.0K$50.9K$56.3K$59.4K$62.6K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$30,470Actual
2020$31,240Actual
2021$43,774Actual
2022$45,426Actual
2023$51,959Actual
2024$50,916Actual
2025$56,283Actual
2026(current)$59,379Estimated
2027$62,644Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wenatchee metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 84.7% from $30,470 (2019) to $56,283 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,644 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,174 (105.59%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wenatchee metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$46,604$49,405
3-5 years (Mid Career)$49,405$59,379
5+ years (Experienced)$59,379$72,143
10+ years (Top Earner)$72,143$75,601

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 Wenatchee

Looking deeper into the job market, there are approximately eight veterinary technologists and technicians currently employed in Wenatchee, indicating a tight-knit community within the field. The cost of living index stands at 107.4, suggesting that despite higher salaries, the take-home pay may face challenges given this cost structure. Among the highest-paying employers are specialty referral hospitals and corporate chain facilities, such as VCA and BluePearl, which tend to offer competitive pay scales, particularly for certified VTS specialists. The difference in wages can be attributed to various factors, including specialization, the influence of corporate pay structures, and shift differentials in 24-hour emergency settings. For those looking to maximize their veterinary technologist and technician pay in Wenatchee, pursuing advanced certifications and seeking employment at specialty or corporate hospitals could lead to enhanced job security and increased earnings.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do veterinary technologists and technicians make in Wenatchee, WA in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median veterinary technologist and technician salary in Wenatchee is $59,379/year ($28.55/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 5.50% annual growth). Salaries range from $46,604 at entry level (10th percentile) to $75,601 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Wenatchee at 18.8% above the national median. Full-time veterinary technologists and technicians typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Wenatchee, WA a good place to work as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Wenatchee veterinary technologist and technician salaries are 18.8% above the national average and 5.2% below the Washington state average. The metro area employs approximately 8 veterinary technologists and technicians. With a cost-of-living index of 107.4, you should factor in higher living costs when evaluating compensation. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can veterinary technologists and technicians make $100K in Wenatchee?

The median veterinary technologist and technician salary in Wenatchee is $59,379, and the 90th percentile earns $75,601. Reaching $100K in this market typically requires a combination of advanced certifications, working at multiple practices, or transitioning into education or consulting roles.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted veterinary technologist and technician salary in Wenatchee?

After adjusting for Wenatchee's cost-of-living index of 107.4 (where 100 equals the national average), the $59,379 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $55,288 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Wenatchee reduce the effective value of your salary by 6.9% compared to the national average — consider negotiating higher base pay or exploring nearby lower-cost metros.

How much does a veterinary technologist and technician make per hour in Wenatchee?

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Wenatchee earn a median hourly rate of $28.55, which translates to approximately $59,379/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $22.41 for entry-level positions to $36.34 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem veterinary technologists and technicians sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

Related Pages

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JL

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.

Clinically reviewed by Sofia Patel, RVTData verified by Mark Chen, LVT

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 $56,283 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Wenatchee 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 Wenatchee is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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