Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Hot Springs, AR: $20.44 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in Hot Springs, AR runs $20.44 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $42,513 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against Hot Springs's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.9, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $23.52 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $25,503 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Veterinary technologists and technicians in Hot Springs, Arkansas, earn a median hourly pay of $20.44, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $24.03. This hourly rate translates into a viable opportunity for part-time and per-diem workers who often operate in settings such as general practice clinics, specialty hospitals, and research facilities. Those working part-time, say three days a week, can expect to take home a sizable income based on their hourly rate, while per-diem opportunities can lead to varied earnings, depending on the specific assignments and time committed. The hourly pay range for these professionals in Hot Springs varies from $15.33 for entry-level positions to $26.07 for experienced workers, as estimated from annual salary data projected for 2026.
About the Hot Springs Market
Salary estimated from Arkansas 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) | $15.33 | $122.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $16.54 | $132.34 |
| Median (P50) | $20.44 | $163.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $24.36 | $194.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $26.07 | $208.55 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Hot Springs
Based on $20.44/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $20.44/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Hot Springs, AR can expect to earn approximately $42,506 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $24,522. With a cost-of-living index of 86.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Hot Springs.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Hot Springs
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $817.41 | $3,542 | $42,506 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $490.45 | $2,125 | $25,503 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $326.97 | $1,417 | $17,002 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (Hot Springs) | $20.44 |
| 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 Hot Springs, AR earn a median of $42,513 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.95% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 2.10% below the Arkansas state average of $43,425.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $20.44/hr = $25,503/year (purchasing power: $29,348).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $42,506/year (purchasing power: $48,913).
CoL index: 86.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$14.44/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$19.37/hr
2026 Current Est.
$20.44/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Hot Springs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.44/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $14.82/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $15.07/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $15.63/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.88/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $13.09/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $19.37/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $20.44/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21.56/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Hot Springs grew 34.1% from $14.44/hr (2019) to $19.37/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $21.56/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 Hot Springs 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 Hot Springs
Focusing on part-time work, a veterinary technologist and technician in Hot Springs working three days per week (24 hours) might take home approximately $25,000 annually, starkly contrasting with the earnings potential of full-time professionals. In the realm of per-diem work, these technicians can command higher rates, typically billing between $25 and $40 per hour. For those with VTS specialty credentials, the pay can reach $35 to $55 per hour, particularly in critical care or emergency environments. Employers affect this pay scale significantly; general practice clinics often pay less than specialty referral hospitals or corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl. Furthermore, while some may accept a lower hourly rate for the security of health benefits, others may choose higher rates from per-diem roles without benefits. In negotiating their pay, veterinary technologists and technicians in Hot Springs should be aware of these variations and leverage their credentials and experience to secure the best possible rates in this evolving job market.
More salary data for Hot Springs, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Hot Springs in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinary technologists and technicians make in Hot Springs?
Are veterinary technologists and technicians in Hot Springs paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinary technologist and technician make per year in Hot Springs?
Do veterinary technologists and technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Hot Springs?
Related Pages
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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 Hot Springs. 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 Hot Springs 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