Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Phoenix, AZ: $23.53 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in Phoenix, AZ runs $23.53 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,941 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against Phoenix's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.3, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $22.77 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,361 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Phoenix, Arizona, the veterinary technologist and technician hourly pay stands at a median of $23.53, which is slightly below the national hourly median of $24.03. For those engaged in part-time work or per-diem opportunities, this hourly rate offers a noteworthy perspective. Working three days a week in settings such as general practice clinics, specialty hospitals, or university teaching hospitals means that part-time veterinary technologists can earn a stable income without committing to full-time hours. Additionally, hourly rates for this profession range from $19.54 for entry-level positions to $29.90 for experienced professionals, reflecting the diverse opportunities available in the Phoenix area. These figures are grounded in official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, projected to 2026, which illustrates both the earning potential and the considerations for employment in different veterinary settings across the city.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.54 | $156.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.21 | $185.68 |
| Median (P50) | $23.53 | $188.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.59 | $228.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.90 | $239.19 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Phoenix
Based on $23.53/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.53/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Phoenix, AZ can expect to earn approximately $48,935 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,232. With a cost-of-living index of 103.32 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Phoenix.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Phoenix
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $941.06 | $4,078 | $48,935 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $564.64 | $2,447 | $29,361 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $376.42 | $1,631 | $19,574 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (Phoenix) | $23.53 |
| 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 Phoenix, AZ earn a median of $48,941 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.09% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 4.70% above the Arizona state average of $46,744.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.53/hr = $29,361/year (purchasing power: $28,419).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,935/year (purchasing power: $47,365).
CoL index: 103.316 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$17.53/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.30/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.53/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+41.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Phoenix (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.53/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.66/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.87/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.58/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.89/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.97/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.30/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.53/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.82/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Phoenix grew 27.2% from $17.53/hr (2019) to $22.30/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.82/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 Phoenix 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 Phoenix
When evaluating the earning potential of part-time veterinary technologists and technicians, those working a 3-day week (24 hours) can expect to take home around $32,435 annually, contrasting significantly with full-timers. Many in this role consider per-diem work due to its competitive pay scale; per diem veterinary technologist and technician pay in Phoenix ranges from $25 to $40 per hour, while VTS-credentialed specialists can command between $35 and $55 per hour. Night and weekend shifts, particularly in emergency and critical care settings, may pay as high as $30 to $50 per hour in response to the critical labor shortage in the field. Veterinary technologists working in various employer types, from corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl to specialty and research facilities, experience vast differences in hourly rates and benefits. While some might opt for positions offering lower hourly pay in exchange for benefits such as health insurance, others may prioritize higher pay without those perks. Practical negotiation is crucial; understanding the local job market, leveraging credentials like VTS, and researching prevailing rates can be advantageous for those seeking to maximize their hourly earnings in Phoenix, AZ.
More salary data for Phoenix, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Phoenix in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinary technologists and technicians make in Phoenix?
Are veterinary technologists and technicians in Phoenix paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinary technologist and technician make per year in Phoenix?
Do veterinary technologists and technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Phoenix?
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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 Phoenix. 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