Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Phenix City, AL: $18.50 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in Phenix City, AL runs $18.50 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $38,494 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against Phenix City's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.9, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.05 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $23,094 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Veterinary technologists and technicians in Phenix City, Alabama, can expect a median hourly rate of $18.50, which is significantly lower than the national median of $24.03. This discrepancy might impact those seeking part-time work or per-diem opportunities in settings like general practice clinics, specialty hospitals, or university teaching hospitals. For a 3-day work week, a veterinary technician could earn around $1,440 monthly before taxes, providing a steady income albeit on the lower end of the pay scale. Phenix City’s hourly pay range stretches from approximately $15.02 at the entry level to about $23.14 for higher-wage earners, reflecting the varying responsibilities and expertise levels among professionals in the area. It’s important to understand these figures are estimates derived from annual salary data, showing the financial dynamics unique to this region.
About the Phenix City 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) | $15.02 | $120.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $15.82 | $126.60 |
| Median (P50) | $18.50 | $148.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $21.78 | $174.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $23.14 | $185.09 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Phenix City
Based on $18.50/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $18.50/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Phenix City, AL can expect to earn approximately $38,490 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $22,206. With a cost-of-living index of 87.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Phenix City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Phenix City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $740.19 | $3,207 | $38,490 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $444.11 | $1,924 | $23,094 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $296.08 | $1,283 | $15,396 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (Phenix City) | $18.50 |
| 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 Phenix City, AL earn a median of $38,494 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.99% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 1.60% below the Alabama state average of $39,120.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $18.50/hr = $23,094/year (purchasing power: $26,273).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $38,490/year (purchasing power: $43,788).
CoL index: 87.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$13.08/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$17.54/hr
2026 Current Est.
$18.50/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Phenix City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $13.08/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $13.42/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $13.64/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $14.16/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $16.19/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $13.31/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $17.54/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $18.50/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $19.52/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Phenix City grew 34.1% from $13.08/hr (2019) to $17.54/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $19.52/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 Phenix City 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 Phenix City
When evaluating the financial landscape for veterinary technologists and technicians in Phenix City, part-time positions—while convenient—offer limited growth potential compared to full-time roles. Working 24 hours per week, a veterinary technologist could see an annual take-home of around $17,280, which pales in comparison to a full-time technician's earning capacity. For those considering per-diem roles, it’s common for veterinary technicians to bill between $25 and $40 per hour, especially during high-demand shifts. Facilities requiring overnight or weekend coverage frequently offer pay in the range of $30 to $50 per hour. Hourly rates can fluctuate significantly depending on the employer; those working in corporate veterinary chains may see different pay scales compared to specialty or university settings. Moreover, while some technicians might accept lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits such as health insurance, others might prefer the flexibility of lower-paying per-diem positions. When negotiating, it’s advisable for professionals to emphasize their certifications, such as those from NAVTA or AVMA CVTEA, to justify requesting higher pay reflective of their skills and contributions in a challenging job market.
More salary data for Phenix City, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Phenix City in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinary technologists and technicians make in Phenix City?
Are veterinary technologists and technicians in Phenix City paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinary technologist and technician make per year in Phenix City?
Do veterinary technologists and technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Phenix City?
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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 Phenix City. 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 Phenix City 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