Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Salary in Columbia, MO
The median pay for a veterinary technologists and technicians in Columbia, MO is $42,500/year ($20.44/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $31K at the entry level to $51K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 89.44), which stretches that salary to about $47,518 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,160/month — about 40% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $43K get you in Columbia?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Columbia’s Regional Price Parity (89.44). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About veterinary technologists and technicians
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Columbia, MO
Entry-level veterinary technologists and technicians (10th percentile) start around $31K. Mid-career wages sit at $43K. Top earners bring in $51K or more, a $21K spread from bottom to top.
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $59K | +28% | 2,250 |
| New York | $59K | +28% | 5,480 |
| District of Columbia | $56K | +22% | 160 |
| Virginia | $56K | +21% | 2,800 |
| California | $55K | +20% | 11,380 |
| Minnesota | $49K | +8% | 4,320 |
| Maine | $49K | +8% | 790 |
| Oregon | $49K | +6% | 1,640 |
| Connecticut | $49K | +6% | 1,800 |
| New Jersey | $49K | +6% | 3,500 |
| New Hampshire | $49K | +6% | 1,000 |
| Nevada | $49K | +6% | 910 |
| Illinois | $48K | +4% | 4,840 |
| Hawaii | $48K | +4% | 300 |
| Indiana | $48K | +3% | 2,340 |
| Michigan | $47K | +3% | 2,880 |
| Massachusetts | $47K | +3% | 3,900 |
| Delaware | $47K | +2% | 580 |
| Vermont | $47K | +1% | 420 |
| Maryland | $47K | +1% | 3,090 |
| Ohio | $46K | +1% | 4,720 |
| North Carolina | $45K | -1% | 3,650 |
| Wisconsin | $45K | -1% | 2,860 |
| South Dakota | $45K | -2% | 300 |
| Arizona | $45K | -2% | 3,390 |
| Rhode Island | $42K | -8% | 550 |
| Pennsylvania | $42K | -9% | 5,840 |
| Iowa | $42K | -9% | 1,070 |
| North Dakota | $41K | -11% | 330 |
| Florida | $40K | -12% | 10,130 |
| Montana | $40K | -14% | 600 |
| Utah | $39K | -14% | 1,590 |
| Nebraska | $39K | -15% | 680 |
| Kansas | $39K | -15% | 1,250 |
| Missouri | $39K | -15% | 1,650 |
| Georgia | $39K | -16% | 3,280 |
| New Mexico | $38K | -17% | 860 |
| South Carolina | $38K | -17% | 1,890 |
| Oklahoma | $38K | -18% | 970 |
| Wyoming | $38K | -18% | 270 |
| Texas | $37K | -19% | 16,170 |
| Kentucky | $37K | -19% | 1,980 |
| Tennessee | $37K | -20% | 2,270 |
| Idaho | $37K | -20% | 640 |
| West Virginia | $36K | -21% | 460 |
| Mississippi | $36K | -22% | 880 |
| Arkansas | $35K | -24% | 290 |
| Alabama | $30K | -34% | 2,260 |
| Louisiana | $30K | -35% | 1,780 |
Showing 1–10 of 49 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track veterinary technologists and technicians salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Columbia numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do veterinary technologists and technicians make in Columbia, MO?
The median is $42,500 a year, that works out to about $20 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $30,840, and experienced veterinary technologists and technicians can clear $51,480. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $43K enough to live in Columbia?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $2,913/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,160/month, which eats 39.8% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a veterinary technologists and technicians salary go in Columbia?
Columbia has a Regional Price Parity of 89.44 (100 is the national average). That's below average, your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median veterinary technologists and technicians salary is worth about $47,518 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do veterinary technologists and technicians get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.