Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Huntsville, AL: $18.84 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in Huntsville, AL runs $18.84 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $39,183 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against Huntsville's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.1, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $20.24 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $23,515 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Huntsville, Alabama, the veterinary technologist and technician hourly pay is projected to be $18.84 in 2026, which is significantly lower than the national median of $24.03. This difference indicates that while local job opportunities exist, pay can be a concern for professionals in the field. For part-time workers, typically working three days a week, this hourly rate translates to roughly $28,000 annually, a figure that may be insufficient to meet living expenses unless supplemented by additional income or benefits. Entry-level workers might expect to earn around $14.68 per hour, while more experienced techs can attain wages up to $25.05 per hour. Positions are common in a variety of settings, including general practice treatment areas, specialty hospitals, universities, and even pharmaceutical research, all of which reflect the diverse nature of the career paths available to veterinary technologists and technicians in Huntsville.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $14.68 | $117.40 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $15.72 | $125.76 |
| Median (P50) | $18.84 | $150.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $21.28 | $170.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $25.05 | $200.37 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Huntsville
Based on $18.84/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $18.84/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Huntsville, AL can expect to earn approximately $39,192 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $22,611. With a cost-of-living index of 93.07 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Huntsville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Huntsville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $753.69 | $3,266 | $39,192 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $452.22 | $1,960 | $23,515 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $301.48 | $1,306 | $15,677 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (Huntsville) | $18.84 |
| Veterinary Assistant (National Avg) | $17.99 |
| Veterinarian (National Avg) | $60.38 |
| Animal Care and Service Worker (National Avg) | $15.87 |
| Medical Lab Technician (National Avg) | $28.18 |
Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Huntsville, AL earn a median of $39,183 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.61% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 0.20% above the Alabama state average of $39,104.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $18.84/hr = $23,515/year (purchasing power: $25,266).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $39,192/year (purchasing power: $42,109).
CoL index: 93.072 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$13.40/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$17.86/hr
2026 Current Est.
$18.84/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+48.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Huntsville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $13.40/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $13.97/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.11/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $15.16/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $14.53/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $15.42/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $17.86/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $18.84/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $19.88/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Huntsville grew 33.3% from $13.40/hr (2019) to $17.86/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $19.88/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem veterinary technologists and technicians can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Huntsville metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.50% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Veterinary Technologist and Technician in Huntsville
When analyzing the part-time earning potential in Huntsville, a veterinary technologist and technician working 24 hours weekly could bring home an annual income that falls short compared to full-time colleagues. Per diem veterinary technologist and technician pay in Huntsville can range significantly, with many billing between $25 and $40 per hour, while those with a Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) credential often earn from $35 to $55 per hour. The disparity in hourly rates across various employers, such as general practice clinics versus specialty referral hospitals, can lead to different financial outcomes for techs in the area. While corporate chains might offer greater stability and benefits, the negotiation ratio between hourly wage and available healthcare can impact overall compensation. For many, trade-offs between hourly rates and benefits, especially in understaffed emergency rooms, where weekend or overnight coverage may pay $30 to $50 an hour, create a complex decision-making process. Understanding local market conditions, coupled with active negotiation skills, might allow techs to secure a more favorable hourly rate or a beneficial balance of pay and health coverage.
More salary data for Huntsville, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Huntsville in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinary technologists and technicians make in Huntsville?
Are veterinary technologists and technicians in Huntsville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinary technologist and technician make per year in Huntsville?
Do veterinary technologists and technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Huntsville?
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Written by Jordan Lee, CVT
Career Analyst
Jordan has 10 years of experience in veterinary technology. They specialize in emergency care. Jordan has worked in both clinic and hospital settings.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for veterinary technologists and technicians in Huntsville. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.50%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for veterinary technologist and technicians (SOC 29-2056).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, CVT, a licensed veterinary technologist and technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov