Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Dover, DE: $22.79 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in Dover, DE runs $22.79 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $47,391 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against Dover's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.5, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $23.37 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,439 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Dover, Delaware, the veterinary technologist and technician hourly pay is projected to be $22.79 in 2026, which falls below the national median of $24.03. This pay rate provides meaningful opportunities for both full-time and part-time professionals within various veterinary settings, such as general practice clinics, emergency care hospitals, and pharmaceutical research facilities. Part-time workers, who may typically clock in for around three days a week, can expect to earn a reasonable income while gaining valuable experience. The hourly wage range in Dover stretches from entry-level positions at approximately $16.12 to seasoned technicians earning up to $28.58, making it a feasible career choice for individuals pursuing licensure as Certified Veterinary Technicians or those with additional specialty credentials.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.12 | $128.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.90 | $151.16 |
| Median (P50) | $22.79 | $182.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.09 | $216.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $28.58 | $228.64 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Dover
Based on $22.79/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.79/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Dover, DE can expect to earn approximately $47,399 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,346. With a cost-of-living index of 97.51 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Dover.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Dover
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $911.52 | $3,950 | $47,399 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $546.91 | $2,370 | $28,439 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $364.61 | $1,580 | $18,960 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (Dover) | $22.79 |
| 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 Dover, DE earn a median of $47,391 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.19% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 6.80% below the Delaware state average of $50,848.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.79/hr = $28,439/year (purchasing power: $29,167).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $47,399/year (purchasing power: $48,611).
CoL index: 97.507 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$15.37/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.60/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.79/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+56.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Dover (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.37/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.44/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.48/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.97/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.08/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.23/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.60/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.79/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.04/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Dover grew 40.5% from $15.37/hr (2019) to $21.60/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.04/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 Dover 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 Dover
The earning potential for part-time veterinary technologists and technicians working just 24 hours a week can offer some stability, but it also highlights the disparity between part-time and full-time work. On an annual basis, those working part-time might earn significantly less than their full-time counterparts. In contrast, per-diem veterinary technologists and technicians often command higher rates, typically billing between $25 to $40 per hour, with specialty technicians earning between $35 and $55 per hour for specific skills. Hospitals in Dover that face staffing shortages may even offer $30 to $50 for weekend or overnight shifts. Employers like veterinary clinics, corporate chains, and teaching hospitals present varying hourly rates based on benefits, prompting some skilled technicians to take lower-paying positions for health insurance, while others may pursue higher hourly rates that lack benefits. As negotiations unfold, aspiring professionals should emphasize their skills and contributions specifically to different work settings across Dover, ensuring they advocate effectively for their worth and secure competitive compensation.
More salary data for Dover, DE:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Dover in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinary technologists and technicians make in Dover?
Are veterinary technologists and technicians in Dover paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinary technologist and technician make per year in Dover?
Do veterinary technologists and technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Dover?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Delaware
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 Dover. 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