Veterinary Technologists and Technicians salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn a median of $47,820 a year ($22.99 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,250 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,670 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $47,380. Pay here is 3% higher than the Illinois statewide median of $46,440. There are 0.72 veterinary technologists and technicians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $51,810, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for veterinary technologists and technicians in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,060 | $18.78 |
| 25th percentile | $45,920 | $22.08 |
| Median | $47,820 | $22.99 |
| 75th percentile | $58,420 | $28.09 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,670 | $30.13 |
| Average (mean) | $51,810 | $24.91 |
Half of veterinary technologists and technicians earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $3,985 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,992.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,839.23 |
| Weekly | $919.62 |
| Hourly | $22.99 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $53,110 | 260 |
| Lafayette-West Lafayette, IN | $52,160 | 190 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $49,710 | 600 |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $48,430 | 100 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $48,380 | 1,040 |
| Evansville, IN | $48,220 | 70 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $47,440 | 80 |
| Michigan City-La Porte, IN | $47,230 | 30 |
| Bloomington, IL | $46,940 | 60 |
| Rockford, IL | $46,760 | 100 |
| Springfield, IL | $46,740 | 60 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $45,790 | 30 |
| Bloomington, IN | $45,190 | 40 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $45,140 | 120 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $44,860 | 1,000 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $44,710 | 500 |
| Peoria, IL | $44,140 | 110 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $40,160 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for veterinary technologists and technicians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $61,270 |
| California | $60,630 |
| Washington | $59,740 |
| New York | $59,010 |
| Minnesota | $57,270 |
| Oregon | $55,810 |
| Virginia | $52,090 |
| Connecticut | $50,950 |
| Maine | $50,810 |
| Nevada | $50,250 |
See Veterinary Technologists and Technicians pay in every state or the Illinois statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Pharmacy Technician | $46,820 | $22.51 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $78,070 | $37.54 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $73,960 | $35.56 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $46,060 | $22.14 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $82,140 | $39.49 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $44,020 | $21.16 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $57,970 | $27.87 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $50,240 | $24.15 |
| Paramedic | $77,670 | $37.34 |
| Surgical Technologist | $66,360 | $31.91 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $44,530 | $21.41 |
| Ophthalmic Medical Technician | $50,010 | $24.04 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $103,080 | $49.56 |
| Magnetic Resonance Imaging Technologist | $100,730 | $48.43 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-2056. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a veterinary technologists and technicians make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median salary for veterinary technologists and technicians in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $47,820 a year, or $22.99 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,060 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,670 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid veterinary technologists and technicians make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The top 10% of veterinary technologists and technicians in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area earn at least $62,670 a year. The top 25% earn $58,420 or more.
What is the starting pay for veterinary technologists and technicians in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,060 a year, and a quarter of veterinary technologists and technicians earn $45,920 or less.
How many veterinary technologists and technicians work in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
About 3,250 veterinary technologists and technicians are employed in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area, not counting the self-employed.