Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Port St. Lucie, FL: $22.67 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in Port St. Lucie, FL runs $22.67 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $47,159 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against Port St. Lucie's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.2, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $22.62 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,295 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Port St. Lucie, the veterinary technologist and technician hourly pay is projected to be $22.67 in 2026, which falls below the national median of $24.03. This hourly rate reflects the compensation potential for part-time workers, such as those engaged in general practice treatment areas or emergency roles within specialty hospitals. For individuals working three days a week, the pay offers flexibility while contributing to a total annual income that can vary significantly, depending on how often they take shifts. Entry-level workers can earn around $16.09 per hour, while those achieving top-tier positions may reach up to $29.29 per hour, showcasing a range that accommodates both new entrants and seasoned professionals within the field. This information is derived from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.09 | $128.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.71 | $157.66 |
| Median (P50) | $22.67 | $181.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $24.25 | $194.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.29 | $234.29 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Port St. Lucie
Based on $22.67/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.67/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Port St. Lucie, FL can expect to earn approximately $47,158 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,206. With a cost-of-living index of 100.23 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Port St. Lucie.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Port St. Lucie
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $906.88 | $3,930 | $47,158 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $544.13 | $2,358 | $28,295 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $362.75 | $1,572 | $18,863 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (Port St. Lucie) | $22.67 |
| 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 Port St. Lucie, FL earn a median of $47,159 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.66% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 1.00% below the Florida state average of $47,635.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.67/hr = $28,295/year (purchasing power: $28,230).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $47,158/year (purchasing power: $47,050).
CoL index: 100.228 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$15.31/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.49/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.67/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+56.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Port St. Lucie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.31/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.61/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.29/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.56/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.85/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.94/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.49/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.67/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.92/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Port St. Lucie grew 40.4% from $15.31/hr (2019) to $21.49/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.92/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 Port St. Lucie 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 Port St. Lucie
Focusing on the realities of part-time and per-diem work, the earning potential for veterinary technologists and technicians can be substantial. A part-time employee working 24 hours weekly would see their gross annual income differ markedly from full-time colleagues, raising questions about sustainability, especially considering the acute veterinary technician workforce shortage. Per diem veterinary technologists and technician pay in Port St. Lucie often ranges between $25 and $40 per hour, with specialists in fields such as emergency and critical care, often earning between $35 and $55 per hour. Specialization can be key here, as VTS-credentialed individuals frequently command higher rates, particularly during high-need periods like weekends or overnight shifts. Hourly rates also differ by employer type; those in general practice clinics may receive lower compensation compared to specialists in corporate chains or pharmaceutical labs that offer competitive packages. While some may accept lower hourly rates for positions that include benefits like health insurance, others may strategize around negotiating pay, especially in a market that has seen rates increase significantly from 2020 to 2024.
More salary data for Port St. Lucie, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Port St. Lucie in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinary technologists and technicians make in Port St. Lucie?
Are veterinary technologists and technicians in Port St. Lucie paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinary technologist and technician make per year in Port St. Lucie?
Do veterinary technologists and technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Port St. Lucie?
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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 Port St. Lucie. 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