Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Plant City, FL: $21.69 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in Plant City, FL runs $21.69 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $45,107 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against Plant City's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.8, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $21.52 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $27,070 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Plant City, FL, veterinary technologists and technicians earn a median hourly rate of $21.69, which is notably lower than the national median of $24.03. This hourly pay structure means that those who work part-time—typically three days a week—can expect to earn around $104,000 annually if they maintain a consistent schedule, though this amount can vary significantly depending on the specific work environment. Common settings include general practice clinics, specialty hospitals, and university teaching hospitals, where hourly pay can range from $16.87 for entry-level positions to $28.36 for those at the top of the pay scale. These estimates are drawn from annual salary data and reflect the diverse experiences of vet techs across their different roles and responsibilities.
About the Plant City Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($36,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.87 | $134.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.00 | $143.99 |
| Median (P50) | $21.69 | $173.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $26.27 | $210.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $28.36 | $226.87 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Plant City
Based on $21.69/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.69/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Plant City, FL can expect to earn approximately $45,117 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $26,029. With a cost-of-living index of 100.80 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Plant City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Plant City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $867.63 | $3,760 | $45,117 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $520.58 | $2,256 | $27,070 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $347.05 | $1,504 | $18,047 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (Plant City) | $21.69 |
| 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 Plant City, FL earn a median of $45,107 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.76% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 5.30% below the Florida state average of $47,631.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.69/hr = $27,070/year (purchasing power: $26,855).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $45,117/year (purchasing power: $44,759).
CoL index: 100.8 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$15.33/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$20.56/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.69/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Plant City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.33/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.73/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $15.99/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.59/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.98/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $16.51/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $20.56/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.69/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.88/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Plant City grew 34.1% from $15.33/hr (2019) to $20.56/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.88/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 Plant 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 Plant City
Exploring the financial landscape further, a part-time veterinary technologist and technician working 24 hours a week would take home considerably less annually compared to their full-time counterparts, translating to approximately $26,400 before taxes. Per-diem options also present a lucrative opportunity, with such technicians often billing between $25 and $40 per hour, and those with Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) credentials commanding even higher rates, between $35 and $55. The increasing demand for skilled workers in this field has driven up hourly rates, especially in urban settings like Plant City where corporate hospital chains might offer additional benefits that might entice some technicians to accept lower hourly rates in exchange for health insurance and other perks. Negotiating for better pay is crucial, especially when considering the trade-off between hourly wages and essential benefits, particularly in a job market characterized by a growing workforce shortage.
More salary data for Plant City, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Plant City in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinary technologists and technicians make in Plant City?
Are veterinary technologists and technicians in Plant City paid hourly or salary?
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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 Plant 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 Plant 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