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Veterinary Technology Degree in Washington, DC — Salary & ROI 2026

Veterinary Technology degree analysis for Washington, DC. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.

Starting Salary

$73K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$70K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

6.3 yrs

in Washington

Cost of Living

146

index (100 = avg)

Veterinary Technology in Washington, DC Overview

Washington is one of District of Columbia's top college towns, with 42 institutions and a student population of 55,233. Public tuition averages $12,276/year here — near the national average for public universities. Veterinary Technology has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Animal Handling and Lab Diagnostics skills. The adjusted starting salary in Washington is approximately $73,000.

Category

Agriculture

Local Colleges

42

Public Tuition

$12,276/yr

Private Tuition

$51,262/yr

Room & Board

$22,009/yr

Avg Fin. Aid

$8,537/yr

Unemployment

5.8%

Graduation Rate

60%

Veterinary Technology Salary in Washington (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Washington's cost of living index of 146 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$73,000(+$23,000 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$70,080(+$22,080 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$80,300(+$25,300 vs national)

Note: National average Veterinary Technology salary: $50,000 starting, $48,000 mid-career, $55,000 senior level.Washington adjustment factor: 1.46x based on the local cost of living index.

Veterinary Technology ROI Calculator for Washington

Estimate your return on investment for a Veterinary Technology degree using local Washington tuition and cost of living data.

Public avg: $12,276 | Private avg: $51,262

Washington avg aid: $8,537/yr

Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%

Total Education Cost

$137,140

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$21,900

vs HS diploma in Washington

ROI Payback Period

6.3 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Washington

$154,860

Lifetime earnings premium ($292,000) minus total education cost ($137,140)

Student Loan Payoff for Veterinary Technology in Washington

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$137,140
Monthly Payment$1,557
Total Interest$49,724
% of Monthly Income26%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$137,140
Monthly Payment$2,683
Total Interest$23,858
Interest Savings$25,866

Colleges in Washington for Veterinary Technology

Georgetown University

private

$62,052/yr

$248,208 total

George Washington University

private

$60,770/yr

$243,080 total

Howard University

private

$30,964/yr

$123,856 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

University of the District of Columbia Community College

$3,120/yr

Top Employers for Veterinary Technology in Washington

Washington offers opportunities in Agribusiness, Government agencies, Research institutes for Veterinary Technology graduates. National top employers in this field include:

Veterinary ClinicsAnimal HospitalsResearch LabsZoosPharmaceutical Companies

Key Washington Hiring Sectors for Agriculture

Agribusiness

Government agencies

Research institutes

Food companies

Conservation orgs

Common Veterinary Technology Job Titles

Veterinary TechnicianAnimal Hospital ManagerResearch Technician

Veterinary Technology Degree in Washington — FAQ

Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.

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Compare Veterinary Technology ROI in other cities, or explore other majors in Washington.

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