Vet Tech Salary: Pay and Take-Home by State
The typical (median) vet tech in the US earns $22.78 an hour, or $47,380 a year, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates for 129,140 jobs (May 2025, occupation: veterinary technologists and technicians). The middle half earn between $38,910 and $57,650 a year, and the top 10% earn more than $63,180.
After federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare, the median salary leaves a single filer about $40,250 a year ($3,354 a month) in a state with no income tax. Using each state's own median pay for this job, take-home is highest in Washington ($49,352 a year) and lowest in Louisiana ($30,028).
Vet Tech pay range
| Pay level | Hourly | Yearly | Take-home a year* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bottom 10% earn less than | $17.17 | $35,710 | $30,873 |
| 25th percentile | $18.71 | $38,910 | $33,444 |
| Median (half earn more) | $22.78 | $47,380 | $40,250 |
| 75th percentile | $27.72 | $57,650 | $48,502 |
| Top 10% earn more than | $30.38 | $63,180 | $52,945 |
The average (mean) is $49,120 a year ($23.61 an hour), above the median because a minority of high earners pull it up. *Take-home after federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare for a single filer in a state with no income tax (2026). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, occupation 29-2056. Source
Vet Tech salary by state
The highest median pay for vet techs is in District of Columbia ($61,280), California ($60,630), Washington ($59,740), New York ($59,010), Minnesota ($57,280). The lowest is in Louisiana ($35,530), Mississippi ($36,380), Alabama ($36,590).
The most vet techs work in Texas (16,730), Florida (11,380), California (11,310).
After each state's taxes, the most take-home at the local median is in Washington ($49,352), California ($48,263), New York ($46,687), Minnesota ($44,860), Oregon ($42,982). A state with no income tax can come out ahead of a state that pays more before tax.
Median pay in each state for this job (BLS, May 2025), and take-home at that pay. Take-home is after federal income tax, Social Security, Medicare and the state's income tax and payroll programs, for a single filer with a 2026 W-4 and no deductions. Local taxes are not included. *District of Columbia: federal taxes only (DC income tax is not modeled yet).
| State | Median hourly | Median yearly | Take-home a year | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $17.59 | $36,590 | $30,101 | 1,880 |
| Alaska | $22.35 | $46,490 | $39,302 | 380 |
| Arizona | $22.26 | $46,300 | $38,456 | 3,970 |
| Arkansas | $18.44 | $38,360 | $32,072 | 320 |
| California | $29.15 | $60,630 | $48,263 | 11,310 |
| Colorado | $23.87 | $49,650 | $39,913 | 3,720 |
| Connecticut | $24.49 | $50,940 | $41,009 | 1,690 |
| Delaware | $23.25 | $48,360 | $38,837 | 530 |
| District of Columbia | $29.46 | $61,280 | $51,418* | 120 |
| Florida | $22.30 | $46,380 | $39,446 | 11,380 |
| Georgia | $20.70 | $43,060 | $35,379 | 2,410 |
| Hawaii | $23.34 | $48,550 | $38,764 | 270 |
| Idaho | $20.25 | $42,120 | $34,646 | 790 |
| Illinois | $22.33 | $46,450 | $37,348 | 5,040 |
| Indiana | $23.43 | $48,730 | $38,962 | 1,820 |
| Iowa | $21.90 | $45,550 | $37,583 | 1,220 |
| Kansas | $22.02 | $45,800 | $37,224 | 1,270 |
| Kentucky | $19.03 | $39,580 | $32,715 | 1,670 |
| Louisiana | $17.08 | $35,530 | $30,028 | 2,220 |
| Maine | $24.43 | $50,810 | $40,802 | 910 |
| Maryland | $22.77 | $47,360 | $36,993 | 2,540 |
| Massachusetts | $23.82 | $49,550 | $39,697 | 3,990 |
| Michigan | $23.90 | $49,710 | $40,260 | 2,550 |
| Minnesota | $27.54 | $57,280 | $44,860 | 3,560 |
| Mississippi | $17.49 | $36,380 | $30,683 | 650 |
| Missouri | $20.92 | $43,510 | $36,022 | 2,040 |
| Montana | $19.79 | $41,160 | $34,082 | 480 |
| Nebraska | $21.00 | $43,680 | $35,884 | 690 |
| Nevada | $24.16 | $50,250 | $42,556 | 1,120 |
| New Hampshire | $23.45 | $48,780 | $41,375 | 870 |
| New Jersey | $23.58 | $49,050 | $39,818 | 2,910 |
| New Mexico | $21.53 | $44,780 | $36,844 | 890 |
| New York | $28.37 | $59,010 | $46,687 | 5,350 |
| North Carolina | $22.89 | $47,610 | $39,005 | 2,580 |
| North Dakota | $23.46 | $48,800 | $41,391 | 340 |
| Ohio | $23.07 | $47,990 | $39,687 | 4,790 |
| Oklahoma | $18.80 | $39,100 | $32,375 | 1,060 |
| Oregon | $26.83 | $55,810 | $42,982 | 1,120 |
| Pennsylvania | $22.32 | $46,430 | $38,029 | 6,620 |
| Rhode Island | $21.78 | $45,300 | $36,419 | 530 |
| South Carolina | $18.76 | $39,020 | $32,381 | 2,540 |
| South Dakota | $21.78 | $45,300 | $38,579 | 300 |
| Tennessee | $20.58 | $42,810 | $36,578 | 1,640 |
| Texas | $18.95 | $39,420 | $33,854 | 16,730 |
| Utah | $19.50 | $40,560 | $33,054 | 1,550 |
| Vermont | $23.80 | $49,500 | $40,553 | 390 |
| Virginia | $25.04 | $52,080 | $41,846 | 2,790 |
| Washington | $28.72 | $59,740 | $49,352 | 2,290 |
| West Virginia | $18.13 | $37,710 | $31,509 | 400 |
| Wisconsin | $22.61 | $47,030 | $37,974 | 2,590 |
| Wyoming | $18.58 | $38,650 | $33,235 | 310 |
Overtime and pay rules for vet techs
Vet techs who are paid by the hour are owed overtime at 1.5 times their regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek under federal law, and some states also require daily overtime. The new no-tax-on-overtime deduction covers the extra half of time-and-a-half pay, up to $12,500 a year for a single filer. Only overtime that the federal Fair Labor Standards Act requires counts; overtime paid only under a contract, a state law or an employer policy does not. Source Estimate your deduction.
How the exemptions work across jobs: who gets overtime pay.
Taxes on a vet tech's pay
On the median $47,380, federal income tax, Social Security and Medicare take about 15.0% of pay for a single filer: $3,506 of income tax and $3,624 of Social Security and Medicare a year.
Tax bracket. After the $16,100 standard deduction, taxable income is $31,280, so the top federal rate is 12%. Each extra dollar from a raise or extra shifts is taxed at about 19.65% before state tax: 12% income tax plus 7.65% Social Security and Medicare. Source
401(k). Putting 5% ($2,369 a year) into a traditional 401(k) lowers federal income tax by about $284, so it costs about $2,085 of take-home pay.
Self-employed or contract work
BLS pay figures cover employees only; self-employed vet techs are not counted. If you work as a contractor (1099), you pay both halves of Social Security and Medicare (15.3% self-employment tax) and usually make quarterly estimated payments. Use the 1099 Tax Calculator to see what to set aside, and see 1099 vs W-2 take-home pay for how much more a contractor needs to earn.
Jobs with similar pay
| Job | Median yearly | Median hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Dental Assistant | $48,070 | $23.11 |
| Sterile Processing Tech | $47,700 | $22.93 |
| Construction Laborer | $47,120 | $22.66 |
| Pharmacy Tech | $45,750 | $22 |
| Medical Assistant | $45,690 | $21.97 |
For a full breakdown of a similar wage, see $23 an hour is how much a year.
Vet Tech salary questions
How much does a vet tech make?
The median pay is $22.78 an hour, or $47,380 a year (May 2025, Bureau of Labor Statistics). The bottom 10% earn less than $35,710 and the top 10% more than $63,180.
How much does a vet tech make after taxes?
About $40,250 a year, or $1,548 every two weeks, on the median salary for a single filer in a state with no income tax. In Louisiana, at that state's own median pay, it is about $30,028.
How much does a vet tech make a month?
About $3,948 a month before taxes at the median salary, and roughly $3,354 after federal taxes in a state with no income tax.
Which state pays vet techs the most?
District of Columbia, with a median of $61,280 a year ($29.46 an hour). Next are California ($60,630) and Washington ($59,740). After state taxes, take-home at the local median is highest in Washington.
How much does a vet tech make an hour?
The median is $22.78 an hour. The middle half earn $18.71 to $27.72, and the top 10% more than $30.38.
Do vet techs get paid overtime?
Vet techs who are paid by the hour are owed overtime at 1.5 times their regular rate for hours over 40 in a workweek under federal law, and some states also require daily overtime. The new no-tax-on-overtime deduction covers the extra half of time-and-a-half pay, up to $12,500 a year for a single filer. Only overtime that the federal Fair Labor Standards Act requires counts; overtime paid only under a contract, a state law or an employer policy does not.
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All jobs · Hourly to salary chart. BLS data published 2026, reference period May 2025; tax figures checked Oct 26, 2026.