Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Sierra Vista, AZ: $18.64 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in Sierra Vista, AZ runs $18.64 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $38,782 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against Sierra Vista's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.2, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $20.89 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $23,265 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, veterinary technologists and technicians in Sierra Vista, Arizona, receive a median hourly rate of $18.64, significantly lower than the national median of $24.03. This discrepancy reflects the economic landscape of the region, impacting part-time and per-diem workers who may balance schedules across various veterinary practice settings, such as general clinics, specialty hospital ICUs, and research labs. The hourly pay for entry-level positions starts at approximately $17.27, while seasoned professionals at the top of the scale can earn up to $26.68 per hour. This range highlights both the entry points for newcomers to the field and the earning potential for experienced technicians navigating the complexities of animal care within diverse environments.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.27 | $138.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.61 | $148.88 |
| Median (P50) | $18.64 | $149.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $22.99 | $183.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $26.68 | $213.45 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sierra Vista
Based on $18.64/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $18.64/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sierra Vista, AZ can expect to earn approximately $38,775 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $22,370. With a cost-of-living index of 89.24 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Sierra Vista.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sierra Vista
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $745.67 | $3,231 | $38,775 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $447.40 | $1,939 | $23,265 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $298.27 | $1,293 | $15,510 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (Sierra Vista) | $18.64 |
| 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 Sierra Vista, AZ earn a median of $38,782 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.41% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 17.00% below the Arizona state average of $46,725.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $18.64/hr = $23,265/year (purchasing power: $26,069).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $38,775/year (purchasing power: $43,449).
CoL index: 89.243 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$13.17/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$17.67/hr
2026 Current Est.
$18.64/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Sierra Vista (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $13.17/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $13.52/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.17/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.20/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.33/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.14/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $17.67/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $18.64/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $19.67/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Sierra Vista grew 34.1% from $13.17/hr (2019) to $17.67/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $19.67/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 Sierra Vista 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 Sierra Vista
Exploring the context of part-time work, a veterinary technologist or technician pulling in a 24-hour workweek could expect an annual income well below that of full-time peers, even when enjoying increased flexibility. Per-diem roles present intriguing opportunities; many can bill around $25-$40 per hour, and VTS-credentialed specialists can command rates between $35 and $55 per hour, particularly in high-demand areas like emergency veterinary coverage. In Sierra Vista, hourly rates fluctuating across various employer types encompass general practice clinics, corporate hospitals, and specialty referral centers which tend to offer different benefits packages. Those willing to trade off higher hourly pay for comprehensive health benefits frequently find themselves at corporate settings, influencing negotiations. To optimize hourly compensation, it’s advisable to research local salary trends while clearly articulating your skills and experience, ensuring to align with both market demands and personal financial needs.
More salary data for Sierra Vista, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Sierra Vista in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinary technologists and technicians make in Sierra Vista?
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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 Sierra Vista. 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, 5-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