Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Kahului, HI: $27.87 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in Kahului, HI runs $27.87 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $57,972 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against Kahului's regional price level (BEA RPP 109.4, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $25.48 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,786 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Kahului, Hawaii, veterinary technologists and technicians earn a median hourly rate of $27.87, significantly higher than the national hourly median of $24.03. This competitive pay reflects the critical role these professionals play in settings such as general practice treatment areas, specialty hospitals, university clinics, and even zoo and aquarium facilities. For part-time workers, typically employed three days a week, this hourly wage translates into a sustained income that can help manage living expenses in Kahului, where the cost of living is above the national average. Entry-level positions in the veterinary sector can expect to earn around $23.60 per hour, while experienced specialists may command rates up to $34.13, according to the 2026 estimates based on 2025 BLS data.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.60 | $188.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.63 | $189.06 |
| Median (P50) | $27.87 | $222.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.00 | $232.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.13 | $273.03 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kahului
Based on $27.87/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.87/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kahului, HI can expect to earn approximately $57,976 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,448. With a cost-of-living index of 109.39 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Kahului.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kahului
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,114.92 | $4,831 | $57,976 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $668.95 | $2,899 | $34,786 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $445.97 | $1,933 | $23,190 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (Kahului) | $27.87 |
| 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 Kahului, HI earn a median of $57,972 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.98% higher than the national median of $49,986 and 2.80% below the Hawaii state average of $59,642.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.87/hr = $34,786/year (purchasing power: $31,799).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $57,976/year (purchasing power: $52,998).
CoL index: 109.393 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$19.70/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.42/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.87/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Kahului (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.70/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.22/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.55/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.90/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.79/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.57/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.42/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.87/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.41/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Kahului grew 34.1% from $19.70/hr (2019) to $26.42/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.41/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 Kahului 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 Kahului
Part-time veterinary technologists and technicians working 24 hours a week can expect to take home about $43,365 annually, a substantial difference compared to their full-time counterparts. In the realm of per-diem positions, pay scales vary widely; many per-diem veterinary technologists and technicians bill between $25 and $40 per hour, while VTS-credentialed specialty technicians can earn $35 to $55 per hour. Hospitals requiring weekend or overnight emergency coverage often pay up to $50 per hour in high-demand markets. Hourly rates can vary based on employer type as well, with specialty referral hospitals generally offering higher wages than corporate chains. Despite the allure of higher hourly rates in certain positions, many in the field opt for jobs that provide benefits like health insurance, which can influence overall earnings. For those in Kahului, practical negotiation tactics can enhance earning potential, such as understanding the local market trends or considering the financial impacts of accepting positions with or without benefits.
More salary data for Kahului, HI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Kahului in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinary technologists and technicians make in Kahului?
Are veterinary technologists and technicians in Kahului paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinary technologist and technician make per year in Kahului?
Do veterinary technologists and technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Kahului?
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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 Kahului. 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, 4-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