Vet tech salary in Illinois
Vet techs in Illinois earned a median of $46,440 a year in May 2025, about $22.33 an hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That is 2% below the U.S. median of $47,380. Eight in ten earned between $38,580 (10th percentile) and $60,520 (90th percentile).
Vet tech pay in Illinois
| Level | A year | An hour |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $38,580 | $18.55 |
| Median | $46,440 | $22.33 |
| 90th percentile | $60,520 | $29.10 |
Illinois ranks 26 of 51 (the 50 states plus D.C.) by median vet tech pay. About 5,040 vet techs worked in Illinois. BLS reports veterinary technologists (usually a four-year degree) and technicians (usually a two-year degree) as one group.
What clinics in Illinois are posting now
Posted pay in Illinois: 4 of these 13 listings, from 1 employer, state an hourly range. Ranges run from $24.00 to $34.00 an hour; the middle listing's midpoint is $29.00 an hour. These are employers' posted ranges, not survey data.
See the 13 open vet tech jobs in Illinois.
Other veterinary roles in Illinois
| Role | Median a year | Median an hour | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vet tech | $46,440 | $22.33 | $47,380 |
| Vet assistant | $37,480 | $18.02 | $38,150 |
| Veterinarian | $133,580 | $64.22 | $130,100 |
The credential in Illinois
Title: Certified Veterinary Technician (CVT). Required to work as a tech: No. Full rules: how to become a vet tech in Illinois. Training: vet tech schools in Illinois.
FAQ
How much does a vet tech make in Illinois?
The median was $46,440 a year in May 2025 (BLS), 2% below the U.S. median of $47,380.
How much does a vet tech make an hour in Illinois?
About $22.33 an hour at the median, from the BLS yearly figure of $46,440 divided by 2,080 hours.
How does Illinois rank for vet tech pay?
Illinois ranks 26 of 51 (the 50 states plus D.C.) by BLS median pay. The highest medians were District of Columbia ($61,270), California ($60,630), Washington ($59,740).
Do you need a license to be a vet tech in Illinois?
No. Other employees of a licensed veterinarian may do tasks the rules allow, under the veterinarian's supervision. See the Illinois guide.
Figures are BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) estimates for May 2025, the latest release, for wage and salary workers (the self-employed are not included). The median is the middle wage: half earned more, half earned less. Hourly figures are the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours, the way BLS converts between the two. Retrieved from the BLS Public Data API on November 5, 2026.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2025, veterinary technologists and technicians
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: OEWS state estimates (Public Data API)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook, Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
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