Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Madison, AL: $18.34 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in Madison, AL runs $18.34 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $38,141 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against Madison's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.9, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $20.86 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $22,883 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the hourly pay for veterinary technologists and technicians in Madison, Alabama, is projected to reach a median of $18.34. This figure places Madison's hourly rate notably lower than the national median of $24.03, highlighting disparities that can impact the local veterinary workforce. For part-time professionals working three days a week, this translates to approximately $19,049 annually, which can limit financial flexibility unless supplemented by other employment. Per-diem workers in settings such as general practice clinics, specialty hospitals, and even research facilities, can potentially earn between $14.18 and $24.38 per hour, depending on their experience and the specific demands of their work environment. This wider range allows for discrepancies in earnings between entry-level staff and those with advanced skills or specialties, thereby influencing job choices among technicians in the local area.
About the Madison Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($32,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $14.18 | $113.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $15.19 | $121.54 |
| Median (P50) | $18.34 | $146.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $22.36 | $178.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $24.38 | $195.05 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Madison
Based on $18.34/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $18.34/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Madison, AL can expect to earn approximately $38,139 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $22,003. With a cost-of-living index of 87.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Madison.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Madison
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $733.44 | $3,178 | $38,139 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $440.06 | $1,907 | $22,883 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $293.37 | $1,271 | $15,255 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (Madison) | $18.34 |
| 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 Madison, AL earn a median of $38,141 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.70% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 2.50% below the Alabama state average of $39,119.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $18.34/hr = $22,883/year (purchasing power: $26,033).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $38,139/year (purchasing power: $43,389).
CoL index: 87.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$12.96/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$17.38/hr
2026 Current Est.
$18.34/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Madison (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $12.96/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $13.30/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $13.52/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $14.03/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $16.04/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $13.19/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $17.38/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $18.34/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $19.34/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Madison grew 34.1% from $12.96/hr (2019) to $17.38/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $19.34/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 Madison 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 Madison
Examining the earning potential of different employment models reveals complexities for those in the veterinary field. A veterinary technologist and technician working part-time can bring home about $19,049 annually, significantly less than a full-time position will yield. This can be particularly challenging in a market experiencing a workforce shortage. On the per-diem front, workers billing $25-$40/hour or as high as $35-$55 for VTS-credentialed roles may find more lucrative opportunities, especially in high-demand settings such as emergency and trauma hospitals that often compensate weekend or overnight shifts at $30-$50/hour. Additionally, pay varies across employer types in Madison; general practice clinics may offer lower rates compared to specialty hospitals or research facilities. While hourly wages can be appealing, many may choose positions that provide benefits over higher pay without coverage, affecting overall job satisfaction and financial planning. Negotiating effectively—whether discussing pay with corporate chains or smaller practices—could greatly influence long-term career earnings for veterinary technologists and technicians in Madison, AL.
More salary data for Madison, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Madison. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Madison is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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