Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Madison, WI: $50,893 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Madison, WI earns a median $50,893/year (≈ $24.47/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Madison's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.3), that paycheck buys what $52,312 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.9% above the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Madison, Wisconsin, achieving a Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) credential can significantly enhance earning potential within the field of veterinary technology. The 2026 median annual salary for veterinary technologists and technicians in this area is projected at $50,893, which is approximately 1.81% higher than the national median of $49,986. Salaries in Madison range from $41,514 at the 10th percentile to $64,977 at the 90th percentile, indicating variable compensation levels based on experience, specialization, and type of employment settings. This data is derived from the official BLS OEWS surveys for 2025, projected to 2026, and demonstrates strong salary competitiveness in the local job market, especially for those who pursue additional credentials like VTS in emergency and critical care or anesthesia.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,514 | $19.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,214 | $23.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,893 | $24.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59,302 | $28.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64,977 | $31.24 |
Median Salary Position
1.81% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Madison
In Madison, WI, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,463 (2026 est.). At $50,893, the local median is 1.81% above the national median of $49,986.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Madison: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Madison Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
Madison median: $50,893/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Madison Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $49,459 | +2.90% more |
| National Average | $49,986 | +1.81% more |
Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Madison, WI earn a median of $50,893 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.81% higher than the national median of $49,986 and 2.90% above the Wisconsin state average of $49,459.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Madison has a cost of living 2.71% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Madison, WI has a cost-of-living index of 97.287 (below the national average of 100). A veterinary technologist and technician earning $50,893 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $52,312 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.79% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$38,120
2025 BLS Actual
$48,240
2026 Current Est.
$50,893
2019–2027 Growth
+40.8%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Madison (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,120 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,680 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,810 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,510 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,080 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,130 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,240 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,893 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,692 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Madison metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 26.5% from $38,120 (2019) to $48,240 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,692 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,572 (40.85%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Madison 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) | $41,514 – $48,214 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,214 – $50,893 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,893 – $59,302 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $59,302 – $64,977 |
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 Madison
The local job market for veterinary technologists and technicians in Madison is robust, with around 620 professionals currently employed. Despite a cost-of-living index of 97.287, which is below the national average, the take-home purchasing power remains favorable given the salary range and local demand for veterinary services. Employers such as specialty referral hospitals, corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl, and university veterinary teaching hospitals tend to offer the highest pay in the area. Factors driving the salary range include the demand for specialized skills, particularly those holding a VTS credential, and the difference in compensation structures between general practices and emergency care facilities. To maximize pay in Madison, pursuing additional certifications and seeking employment in specialty or corporate environments, where pay scales and shift differentials often provide additional earnings opportunities, remain essential strategies for aspiring veterinary technicians seeking to elevate their financial prospects.
More salary data for Madison, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinary technologists and technicians make in Madison, WI in 2026?
Is Madison, WI a good place to work as a veterinary technologist and technician?
Can veterinary technologists and technicians make $100K in Madison?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted veterinary technologist and technician salary in Madison?
How much does a veterinary technologist and technician make per hour in Madison?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Wisconsin
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 $48,240 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Madison 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