Vet Tech salary

Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Wisconsin Rapids, WI: $45,352 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Wisconsin Rapids, WI earns a median $45,352/year (≈ $21.81/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Wisconsin Rapids's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $48,557 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.3% below the Wisconsin state average.

$45,352
Median Annual Salary
$21.81/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$36,571
Entry Level (P10)
$55,890
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

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

Veterinary technologists and technicians in Wisconsin Rapids, WI, can expect a median annual income of $45,352 in 2026, placing them below the national median of $49,986. Salary estimates reflect a range from $36,571 at the 10th percentile to $55,890 at the 90th percentile, showing significant variability in earnings. These figures are informed by BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments, underscoring the importance of local market dynamics. Notably, corporate chains such as VCA and BluePearl may have more structured pay scales, which can influence compensation trends in the region, making them essential players in the local veterinary job market.

About the Wisconsin Rapids Market

Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($38,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$36,571$17.59
Lower Range (P25)$37,302$17.93
Median (P50)(typical)$45,352$21.81
Upper Range (P75)$53,102$25.53
Top Earners (P90)$55,890$26.87

Median Salary Position

$36,571$55,890
City Median: $45,352
National: $49,986
P10–P90 Range

9.27% below the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wisconsin Rapids

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for veterinary technologist and technicians in Wisconsin Rapids. The median salary is $45,352, compared to the national median of $49,986.$32.9K$39.4K$45.8K$52.2K$58.7K$36.6K10th Pctl$37.3K25th Pctl$45.4KMedian$53.1K75th Pctl$55.9K90th PctlUS Median$50.0K

In Wisconsin Rapids, WI, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $19,319 (2026 est.). At $45,352, the local median is 9.27% below the national median of $49,986.

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

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$872
per week
$3,780
per month
$45,358
per year

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

How Wisconsin Rapids Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares

Wisconsin Rapids median: $45,352/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryWisconsin Rapids Pays
Wisconsin Average$49,457-8.30% less
National Average$49,986-9.27% less
Horizontal bar chart comparing veterinary technologist and technician median salary in Wisconsin Rapids ($45,352) with Wisconsin average ($49,457) and the US national median ($49,986).Wisconsin Rapids$45,352Wisconsin Avg$49,457-8.30%US National$49,986-9.27%

Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Wisconsin Rapids, WI earn a median of $45,352 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.27% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 8.30% below the Wisconsin state average of $49,457.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$45,352
Nominal Salary
93.4
CoL Index
$48,557
Adjusted Salary

Wisconsin Rapids has a cost of living 6.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.

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

The nominal salary is $45,352. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 93.4, the purchasing-power equivalent is $48,557, a gain of $3,205.$38.5K$43.3K$48.0K$52.8K$57.5K$45,352NominalSalary$48,557CoL Adjusted(CoL: 93.4) 7.07%US Median $50.0K

Wisconsin Rapids, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A veterinary technologist and technician earning $45,352 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $48,557 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.

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2019 BLS Actual

$32,046

2025 BLS Actual

$42,988

2026 Current Est.

$45,352

2019–2027 Growth

+49.3%

Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Wisconsin Rapids (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 Wisconsin Rapids. Baseline $32,046 in 2025, projected to $47,847 by 2027.$28.9K$34.4K$39.9K$45.5K$51.0K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$32.0K$32.9K$33.4K$34.7K$39.7K$32.5K$43.0K$45.4K$47.8K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$32,046Actual
2020$32,899Actual
2021$33,434Actual
2022$34,695Actual
2023$39,685Actual
2024$32,542Actual
2025$42,988Actual
2026(current)$45,352Estimated
2027$47,847Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wisconsin Rapids metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 34.1% from $32,046 (2019) to $42,988 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $47,847 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,801 (49.31%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wisconsin Rapids 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)$36,571$37,302
3-5 years (Mid Career)$37,302$45,352
5+ years (Experienced)$45,352$53,102
10+ years (Top Earner)$53,102$55,890

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 Wisconsin Rapids

The job market in Wisconsin Rapids shows a modest representation, with only five veterinary technologists and technicians currently employed in the area. The local cost of living index stands at 93.4, slightly below the national average, which means that although salaries may be lower than those in larger urban centers, the purchasing power could still be reasonable for residents. Positions at corporate chain hospitals often offer higher pay, particularly for those with the Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) designation in areas such as emergency and critical care. The differences in pay can be attributed to various factors, including specialization, corporate pay scales, and the setting of employment—specialty hospitals tend to compensate better than general practice. To enhance earning potential, aspiring vet techs may consider pursuing additional credentials or seeking employment at specialty facilities rather than solely general practices within Wisconsin Rapids, aligning with the ongoing demand for skilled veterinary professionals.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do veterinary technologists and technicians make in Wisconsin Rapids, WI in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median veterinary technologist and technician salary in Wisconsin Rapids is $45,352/year ($21.81/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 5.50% annual growth). Salaries range from $36,571 at entry level (10th percentile) to $55,890 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Wisconsin Rapids at 9.3% below 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 Wisconsin Rapids, WI a good place to work as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Wisconsin Rapids veterinary technologist and technician salaries are 9.3% below the national average and 8.3% below the Wisconsin state average. The metro area employs approximately 5 veterinary technologists and technicians. With a cost-of-living index of 93.4, your salary stretches further here than in higher-cost metros. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can veterinary technologists and technicians make $100K in Wisconsin Rapids?

The median veterinary technologist and technician salary in Wisconsin Rapids is $45,352, and the 90th percentile earns $55,890. 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 Wisconsin Rapids?

After adjusting for Wisconsin Rapids's cost-of-living index of 93.4 (where 100 equals the national average), the $45,352 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $48,557 in an average-cost city. This means your dollar goes 7.1% further in Wisconsin Rapids compared to the national average, making it an attractive location for veterinary technologists and technicians seeking strong real wages.

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

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Wisconsin Rapids earn a median hourly rate of $21.81, which translates to approximately $45,352/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $17.59 for entry-level positions to $26.87 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

Nearby Cities in Wisconsin

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 $42,988 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Wisconsin Rapids 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 Wisconsin Rapids 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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