Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Boulder, CO: $26.05 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in Boulder, CO runs $26.05 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $54,174 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against Boulder's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.2, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $24.76 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,508 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Boulder, Colorado, the veterinary technologist and technician hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $26.05 in 2026, which surpasses the national median of $24.03. This favorable rate benefits not only full-time employees but also part-time and per-diem workers stationed in diverse settings such as general practice clinics, specialty hospitals, university teaching facilities, and even zoos or pharmaceutical labs. Entry-level technicians can expect to earn around $19.08 per hour, while those with extensive experience and specialized certifications could see rates as high as $30.95. The hourly pay reflects the high demand for skilled technicians in the area, contributing to a robust job market and ensuring competitive wages for those who choose to enter this profession.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.08 | $152.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.47 | $195.72 |
| Median (P50) | $26.05 | $208.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.58 | $244.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $30.95 | $247.63 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Boulder
Based on $26.05/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.05/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Boulder, CO can expect to earn approximately $54,180 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,258. With a cost-of-living index of 105.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Boulder.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Boulder
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,041.92 | $4,515 | $54,180 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $625.15 | $2,709 | $32,508 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $416.77 | $1,806 | $21,672 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (Boulder) | $26.05 |
| 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 Boulder, CO earn a median of $54,174 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.38% higher than the national median of $49,986 and 7.30% above the Colorado state average of $50,489.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.05/hr = $32,508/year (purchasing power: $30,900).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $54,180/year (purchasing power: $51,501).
CoL index: 105.202 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$17.76/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.69/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.05/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+54.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Boulder (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.76/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.42/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.99/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.51/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.49/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.17/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.69/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.05/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.48/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Boulder grew 39.0% from $17.76/hr (2019) to $24.69/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.48/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 Boulder 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 Boulder
Part-time veterinary technologists and technicians working three days a week, or approximately 24 hours, can anticipate an annual income significantly lower than their full-time counterparts. While part-time employees might take home around $31,305 annually, full-time technician positions could yield around $54,174. On the per-diem side, pay rates for temporary technicians often range from $25 to $40, with VTS-credentialed specialty techs earning between $35 and $55 when called in to cover critical roles. Rates can further spike, especially for weekend or overnight shifts, which may command $30 to $50 in shortage markets. It's essential for those in Boulder to understand that the nature of the employer affects hourly compensation; general practices may offer lower pay compared to corporate chains or specialty hospitals, which tend to provide healthcare benefits that balance lower hourly rates. Successful negotiations often hinge on understanding these dynamics and weighing the trade-offs between immediate pay versus long-term benefits.
More salary data for Boulder, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Boulder in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinary technologists and technicians make in Boulder?
Are veterinary technologists and technicians in Boulder paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinary technologist and technician make per year in Boulder?
Do veterinary technologists and technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Boulder?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Colorado
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 Boulder. 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