Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Commerce City, CO: $23.56 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in Commerce City, CO runs $23.56 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,997 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against Commerce City's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.0, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $22.44 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,401 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, veterinary technologists and technicians in Commerce City, CO, can expect a median hourly rate of $23.56, slightly below the national median of $24.03. This hourly wage offers a solid income potential, especially for those working part-time or as per-diem employees. For instance, part-time workers on a typical three-day workweek could potentially earn over $31,000 annually based on 24 hours of work per week. The hourly pay range starts at around $18.00 for entry-level positions and can reach up to $31.04 for top earners, reflecting the variation in skills, experience, and specialty certifications. Opportunities span a range of settings, including general practice clinics, specialized emergency and critical care hospitals, university teaching hospitals, and pharmaceutical research facilities, all of which influence the hourly pay structure.
About the Commerce City Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.00 | $143.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.37 | $154.96 |
| Median (P50) | $23.56 | $188.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.59 | $228.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $31.04 | $248.30 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Commerce City
Based on $23.56/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.56/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Commerce City, CO can expect to earn approximately $49,001 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,270. With a cost-of-living index of 105.00 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Commerce City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Commerce City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $942.33 | $4,083 | $49,001 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $565.40 | $2,450 | $29,401 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $376.93 | $1,633 | $19,600 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (Commerce City) | $23.56 |
| 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 Commerce City, CO earn a median of $48,997 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.98% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 3.00% below the Colorado state average of $50,513.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.56/hr = $29,401/year (purchasing power: $28,001).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $49,001/year (purchasing power: $46,668).
CoL index: 105 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$16.65/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.33/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.56/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Commerce City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.65/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.09/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.37/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.02/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.61/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.57/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.33/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.56/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.85/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Commerce City grew 34.1% from $16.65/hr (2019) to $22.33/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.85/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 Commerce City 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 Commerce City
When considering the financial prospects within this profession in Commerce City, part-time veterinary technologists and technicians can take home a considerably different annual income compared to their full-time peers. Earning potential is enhanced for per-diem workers, often billing between $25-$40/hr, with VTS-certified specialists commanding even higher rates of $35-$55/hr. Given the increasing demand in the veterinary field, especially in high-need areas like emergency care, weekend or overnight shifts could yield $30-$50/hr in understaffed hospitals. Employer types also play a significant role in pay discrepancies; while corporate veterinary chains may offer steady hours with lower rates, specialty hospitals might provide higher pay with limited benefits. Negotiating pay effectively in Commerce City can lead to significant differences in compensation, particularly when balancing hourly rates with benefits like healthcare coverage.
More salary data for Commerce City, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Commerce City in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinary technologists and technicians make in Commerce City?
Are veterinary technologists and technicians in Commerce City paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinary technologist and technician make per year in Commerce City?
Do veterinary technologists and technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Commerce City?
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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 Commerce City. 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 Commerce City 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