Registered veterinary technicians (RVTs) in Ontario earn an average hourly wage of $30.35, up from $29.80 in 2024, according to the Ontario Association of Veterinary Technicians’ (OAVT) 2026 Wage and Compensation Survey. The findings provide insight into compensation trends, workplace benefits, and professional development support, offering benchmarking information for veterinary professionals and employers.

Wages varied by experience, practice setting, and geographic location. RVTs with 21 or more years of experience earned an average of $34.39 per hour, compared with $25.63 for those with one year of experience. Technicians working in emergency and specialty practices earned an average of $33.25 per hour, while those in small animal hospitals averaged $28.68 per hour. Geographic differences ranged from $27.92 in Northeastern Ontario to $34.24 in Guelph and Wellington County.

The survey also examined employer support for continuing education (CE). Forty-three per cent of respondents reportedly received a fixed annual CE allowance, while 31 per cent said their allowance was determined on a case-by-case basis. Sixteen per cent did not know whether they had access to CE funding.

Among those receiving a fixed allowance, 36 per cent received less than $501 annually, 43 per cent received $501 to $1,000, and 21 per cent received more than $1,000. Additionally, 35 per cent reported receiving more than $1,000 annually in support for CE-related expenses, such as travel and meals.

Other findings highlighted potential financial pressures among RVTs. Although 80 per cent received a raise in 2025, 30 per cent reported having secondary income, and 83 per cent of those said it was necessary to maintain a satisfactory standard of living. Vacation benefits were also limited for many respondents, with 71 per cent receiving 15 or fewer paid vacation days annually.

The 2026 survey was the first joint initiative of the Veterinary Technician/Technologist Association Council of Canada (VTACC), involving OAVT and six other provincial associations. Data were collected from RVTs across Canada, with national results expected to be released separately. OAVT reported a 25 per cent participation rate among its Ontario members, compared with a 30 per cent national average.

The results offer a broader compensation benchmark that may help inform discussions about recruitment, retention, workplace benefits, and the professional development of veterinary technicians.