Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Lake Havasu City, AZ: $22.82 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in Lake Havasu City, AZ runs $22.82 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $47,454 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against Lake Havasu City's regional price level (BEA RPP 94.1, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.25 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,479 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lake Havasu City, Arizona, the veterinary technologist and technician hourly pay stands at $22.82, which is slightly below the national median of $24.03. This median reflects a competitive range for those in various professional settings, from general practice clinics to specialized hospitals and research facilities. For individuals working part-time—approximately three days a week in typical 24-hour schedules—this rate offers a reasonable wage given the local cost of living index of 94.098, below the national average. New entrants in this field might expect to start at $19.10 per hour, while experienced professionals can earn up to $27.82 hourly, indicating significant potential for career advancement and experience-related pay increases as they navigate their professional paths.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.10 | $152.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.33 | $154.62 |
| Median (P50) | $22.82 | $182.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.44 | $187.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $27.82 | $222.56 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lake Havasu City
Based on $22.82/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.82/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lake Havasu City, AZ can expect to earn approximately $47,465 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,384. With a cost-of-living index of 94.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lake Havasu City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lake Havasu City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $912.79 | $3,955 | $47,465 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $547.67 | $2,373 | $28,479 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $365.11 | $1,582 | $18,986 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (Lake Havasu City) | $22.82 |
| 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 Lake Havasu City, AZ earn a median of $47,454 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.07% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 1.50% above the Arizona state average of $46,753.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.82/hr = $28,479/year (purchasing power: $30,265).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $47,465/year (purchasing power: $50,442).
CoL index: 94.098 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$15.69/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.63/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.82/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+53.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Lake Havasu City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.69/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.96/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.06/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.69/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.98/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.98/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.63/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.82/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.07/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Lake Havasu City grew 37.9% from $15.69/hr (2019) to $21.63/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.07/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 Lake Havasu 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 Lake Havasu City
When examining the financial landscape for part-time workers in this field, a veterinary technologist and technician operating on a three-day schedule could expect to bring home around $28,308 annually, a figure significantly lower than what full-time employees might see. Per diem opportunities present a different pay structure, where hourly rates can vary greatly; many per diem veterinary technologists and technicians in Lake Havasu City command rates between $25 and $40, while those with VTS credentials can earn even higher wages between $35 and $55. Hourly pay also differs by employer type, with corporate practice chains and specialty hospitals offering varying compensation rates. Those who prioritize benefits may opt for lower hourly wages, while others might seek positions without benefits to maximize take-home pay. Understanding how to negotiate effectively for hourly pay can greatly influence a technician's overall financial health in this dynamic employment market.
More salary data for Lake Havasu City, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Lake Havasu City in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinary technologists and technicians make in Lake Havasu City?
Are veterinary technologists and technicians in Lake Havasu City paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinary technologist and technician make per year in Lake Havasu City?
Do veterinary technologists and technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Lake Havasu 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 Lake Havasu 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
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