Vet tech salary in Kentucky
Vet techs in Kentucky earned a median of $39,590 a year in May 2025, about $19.03 an hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That is 16% below the U.S. median of $47,380. Eight in ten earned between $28,490 (10th percentile) and $50,530 (90th percentile).
Vet tech pay in Kentucky
| Level | A year | An hour |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $28,490 | $13.70 |
| Median | $39,590 | $19.03 |
| 90th percentile | $50,530 | $24.29 |
Kentucky ranks 42 of 51 (the 50 states plus D.C.) by median vet tech pay. About 1,670 vet techs worked in Kentucky. BLS reports veterinary technologists (usually a four-year degree) and technicians (usually a two-year degree) as one group.
Jobs in Kentucky
Browse veterinary jobs, with pay shown when the employer states it.
Other veterinary roles in Kentucky
| Role | Median a year | Median an hour | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vet tech | $39,590 | $19.03 | $47,380 |
| Vet assistant | $34,140 | $16.41 | $38,150 |
| Veterinarian | $104,100 | $50.05 | $130,100 |
The credential in Kentucky
Title: Licensed Veterinary Technician (LVT). Required to work as a tech: Yes. Full rules: how to become a vet tech in Kentucky. Training: vet tech schools in Kentucky.
FAQ
How much does a vet tech make in Kentucky?
The median was $39,590 a year in May 2025 (BLS), 16% below the U.S. median of $47,380.
How much does a vet tech make an hour in Kentucky?
About $19.03 an hour at the median, from the BLS yearly figure of $39,590 divided by 2,080 hours.
How does Kentucky rank for vet tech pay?
Kentucky ranks 42 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 Kentucky?
Yes. State law bars practicing as a veterinary technician without a license. See the Kentucky 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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