Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Merced, CA: $25.57 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in Merced, CA runs $25.57 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $53,193 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against Merced's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.3, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.02 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,915 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Merced, California, the veterinary technologist and technician hourly pay stands at a median of $25.57, surpassing the national average of $24.03. This hourly wage offers a competitive edge for part-time professionals working three days a week, allowing them to earn a significant income while balancing personal time. The hourly range for this role varies widely, from $19.58 at the entry-level to $30.86 for more experienced technicians, reflecting the diverse settings in which they operate, including general practice clinics, specialty hospitals, and even pharmaceutical research facilities. Officially sourced from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, these figures highlight the growing demand for skilled veterinary professionals in the area.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.58 | $156.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.39 | $179.10 |
| Median (P50) | $25.57 | $204.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.77 | $230.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $30.86 | $246.87 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Merced
Based on $25.57/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.57/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Merced, CA can expect to earn approximately $53,192 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,688. With a cost-of-living index of 98.28 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Merced.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Merced
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,022.93 | $4,433 | $53,192 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $613.76 | $2,660 | $31,915 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $409.17 | $1,773 | $21,277 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (Merced) | $25.57 |
| 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 Merced, CA earn a median of $53,193 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.42% higher than the national median of $49,986 and 15.10% below the California state average of $62,654.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.57/hr = $31,915/year (purchasing power: $32,476).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $53,192/year (purchasing power: $54,126).
CoL index: 98.275 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.01/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.24/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.57/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Merced (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.01/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.44/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.85/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.10/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.86/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.05/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.24/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.57/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.98/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Merced grew 34.6% from $18.01/hr (2019) to $24.24/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.98/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 Merced 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 Merced
Exploring the earning potential in more depth reveals that a veterinary technologist and technician working part-time (approximately 24 hours a week) can expect to earn over $52,000 annually, a considerable amount compared to a full-time technician. Per diem roles, meanwhile, offer a different lucrative reality; many per diem veterinary technologists and technicians charge between $25 and $40 per hour, with specialty credentialed technicians earning rates between $35 and $55. Weekend and overnight emergency shifts often command even higher hourly rates, especially in markets experiencing a workforce shortage, where compensation can sit between $30 and $50. Employers in Merced, such as general practice veterinary clinics, corporate hospital chains, and referral hospitals, often vary in hourly rates offered. Many veterinary technologists and technicians may accept slightly lower hourly rates for jobs that include health insurance benefits, balancing immediate pay against long-term security. For those negotiating their pay in Merced, it's advisable to research pay scales at specific employers to strengthen their bargaining position.
More salary data for Merced, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Merced in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinary technologists and technicians make in Merced?
Are veterinary technologists and technicians in Merced paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinary technologist and technician make per year in Merced?
Do veterinary technologists and technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Merced?
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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 Merced. 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, 6-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