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The average salary for a Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) is approximately $40,204 annually. This figure can fluctuate based on factors such as geographic location, years of experience, and the type of veterinary practice. For instance, RVTs in metropolitan areas often earn higher wages compared to those in rural settings.
Entry-level RVTs typically earn lower salaries, while those with several years of experience can see significant increases. Experienced technicians may also have opportunities to specialize, further enhancing their earning potential.
States like California, New York, and Washington are known for offering the highest salaries for RVTs. Understanding salary variations by state can help job seekers target areas that align with their financial goals.
The demand for RVTs continues to grow, driven by an increasing focus on animal wellness. Many RVTs find fulfilling careers in clinics, animal hospitals, or even research facilities, where they can further their expertise and impact on animal health.
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| Experience level | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level registered veterinary technician | $35,100 | $16.89 |
| Mid-level registered veterinary technician | $37,300 | $17.91 |
| Senior-level registered veterinary technician | $45,000 | $21.65 |
The highest-paying states for registered veterinary technicians are California, Maryland, and Alaska. The lowest average registered veterinary technician salary states are Utah, Louisiana, and Florida.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alaska | $46,219 | $22.22 |
| 2 | Connecticut | $44,800 | $21.54 |
| 3 | Delaware | $44,112 | $21.21 |
| 4 | California | $51,244 | $24.64 |
| 5 | Maine | $41,792 | $20.09 |
| 6 | Nevada | $44,779 | $21.53 |
| 7 | Massachusetts | $44,116 | $21.21 |
| 8 | Vermont | $41,929 | $20.16 |
| 9 | Arizona | $42,118 | $20.25 |
| 10 | New York | $45,112 | $21.69 |
| 11 | Rhode Island | $42,682 | $20.52 |
| 12 | Maryland | $47,574 | $22.87 |
| 13 | Virginia | $44,167 | $21.23 |
| 14 | Oregon | $45,275 | $21.77 |
| 15 | Washington | $44,963 | $21.62 |
| 16 | North Dakota | $44,990 | $21.63 |
| 17 | New Hampshire | $40,729 | $19.58 |
| 18 | Idaho | $44,501 | $21.39 |
| 19 | West Virginia | $38,825 | $18.67 |
| 20 | Nebraska | $41,884 | $20.14 |
| 21 | Hawaii | $40,889 | $19.66 |
| 22 | New Jersey | $40,966 | $19.70 |
| 23 | Colorado | $38,792 | $18.65 |
| 24 | Pennsylvania | $39,614 | $19.05 |
| 25 | Mississippi | $40,281 | $19.37 |
| 26 | Illinois | $38,483 | $18.50 |
| 27 | Alabama | $36,744 | $17.67 |
| 28 | Minnesota | $38,530 | $18.52 |
| 29 | Wyoming | $39,307 | $18.90 |
| 30 | Wisconsin | $35,461 | $17.05 |
| 31 | Michigan | $35,473 | $17.05 |
| 32 | Kentucky | $37,397 | $17.98 |
| 33 | Indiana | $35,570 | $17.10 |
| 34 | District of Columbia | $42,460 | $20.41 |
| 35 | North Carolina | $34,563 | $16.62 |
| 36 | Texas | $34,767 | $16.71 |
| 37 | Kansas | $35,884 | $17.25 |
| 38 | South Carolina | $34,413 | $16.54 |
| 39 | Florida | $32,482 | $15.62 |
| 40 | Utah | $32,729 | $15.74 |
| 41 | Iowa | $34,495 | $16.58 |
| 42 | Missouri | $33,668 | $16.19 |
| 43 | Ohio | $33,982 | $16.34 |
| 44 | Montana | $34,500 | $16.59 |
| 45 | Oklahoma | $33,136 | $15.93 |
| 46 | Georgia | $31,427 | $15.11 |
| 47 | South Dakota | $33,874 | $16.29 |
| 48 | New Mexico | $33,305 | $16.01 |
| 49 | Louisiana | $32,646 | $15.70 |
| 50 | Tennessee | $30,946 | $14.88 |
| 51 | Arkansas | $30,144 | $14.49 |
The highest-paying cities for registered veterinary technicians are Salinas, CA, Baltimore, MD, and Pearl City, HI.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Salinas, CA | $52,088 | $25.04 |
| 2 | Baltimore, MD | $47,965 | $23.06 |
| 3 | Pearl City, HI | $40,979 | $19.70 |
| 4 | Kansas City, KS | $35,724 | $17.18 |
| 5 | Westfield, IN | $35,434 | $17.04 |
| 6 | Durham, NC | $34,837 | $16.75 |
| 7 | North Royalton, OH | $34,696 | $16.68 |
| 8 | Kansas City, MO | $33,876 | $16.29 |
| 9 | Santa Fe, NM | $33,142 | $15.93 |
| 10 | Atlanta, GA | $31,477 | $15.13 |
A registered veterinary technician's salary ranges from $30,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $52,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $52,000 | $4,333 | $25 |
| 75th Percentile | $46,000 | $3,833 | $22 |
| Average | $40,204 | $3,350 | $19 |
| 25th Percentile | $35,000 | $2,917 | $17 |
| 10th Percentile | $30,000 | $2,500 | $14 |
The highest paying types of registered veterinary technicians are surgery technician, certified veterinary technician, and licensed veterinary technician.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Animal Health Technician | $37,267 | $3,106 | $17.92 | 89,376 |
| Laboratory Animal Technician | $30,382 | $2,532 | $14.61 | 63,768 |
| Technician | $38,045 | $3,170 | $18.29 | 596,842 |
| Animal Technician | $31,378 | $2,615 | $15.09 | 39,917 |
| Clinical Technician | $35,760 | $2,980 | $17.19 | 161,812 |
| Surgery Technician | $41,646 | $3,470 | $20.02 | 83,376 |
Top companies hiring registered veterinary technicians now:
Registered veterinary technician salaries at Neuralink IT Solutions and ASPCA are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average registered veterinary technician salary at companies like San Diego Humane Society and Helen Woodward Animal Center are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Neuralink IT Solutions | $44,099 | $21.20 |
| 2 | ASPCA | $43,632 | $20.98 |
| 3 | San Diego Humane Society | $42,865 | $20.61 |
| 4 | Helen Woodward Animal Center | $42,819 | $20.59 |
| 5 | University of Rochester | $42,758 | $20.56 |
| 6 | Ethos Veterinary Health | $42,671 | $20.51 |
| 7 | Best Friends Animal Society | $42,628 | $20.49 |
| 8 | County Of Los Angeles Public Library | $42,436 | $20.40 |
| 9 | VCA Animal Hospitals | $42,393 | $20.38 |
| 10 | BluePearl Vet | $42,060 | $20.22 |
| 11 | The Animal Medical Center | $41,849 | $20.12 |
| 12 | Southern Veterinary Partners | $41,560 | $19.98 |
| 13 | Lacosta Inc | $41,481 | $19.94 |
| 14 | Modern Animal | $41,481 | $19.94 |
| 15 | noahshospitals | $41,465 | $19.94 |
| 16 | Memorial Healthcare | $41,296 | $19.85 |
| 17 | HCR ManorCare | $39,806 | $19.14 |
| 18 | Kelly Services | $39,191 | $18.84 |
| 19 | VetCor | $39,095 | $18.80 |
| 20 | East Tennessee Children's Hospital | $39,049 | $18.77 |
The average registered veterinary technician salary has risen by $6,786 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average registered veterinary technician earned $33,418 annually, but today, they earn $40,204 a year. That works out to a 12% change in pay for registered veterinary technicians over the last decade.
Compare registered veterinary technician salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare registered veterinary technician salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $40,200 | $19.33 | +2.6% |
| 2025 | $39,200 | $18.83 | +2.5% |
| 2024 | $38,200 | $18.35 | +3.0% |
| 2023 | $37,000 | $17.80 | +2.7% |
| 2022 | $36,000 | $17.32 | +2.1% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community Veterinary Partners, LLC | Registered Veterinary Technician | Kingwood, WV | 06/29/2025 | $33,392 |
| Destination Pet | Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT) | Rockville, MD | 06/29/2025 | $62,610 |
| Modern Animal | Registered Veterinary Technician | San Francisco, CA | 06/29/2025 | $75,132 |
| Medvet | Surgery Registered Veterinary Technician | Dayton, OH | 06/29/2025 | $56,349 |
| VCA Animal Hospitals | Registered Veterinary Technician ER | Warrensville Heights, OH | 06/28/2025 | $41,740 |
| Aptos Creekside Pet Hospital | Registered Veterinary Technician | Aptos, CA | 06/28/2025 | $54,262 |
| Alliance Animal Health | Registered Veterinary Technician | Palmdale, CA | 06/27/2025 | $56,349 |
| Ethos Veterinary Health | Overnight Er/Icu Registered Veterinary Technician, Sraes | Colorado Springs, CO | 06/27/2025 | $52,175 |
| Veterinarypracticepartners | Registered Veterinary Technician | Denver, CO | 06/27/2025 | $48,001 |
| Nestle International | Registered Veterinary Technician Job Details | Nestle Operational Services Worldwide SA | Saint Joseph, MO | 06/26/2025 | $58,000 |
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