Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Arlington Heights, IL: $23.39 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in Arlington Heights, IL runs $23.39 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,641 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against Arlington Heights's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.09 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,190 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Arlington Heights, IL, the veterinary technologist and technician hourly pay is projected to be $23.39 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $24.03. This hourly wage can significantly impact those working part-time or on a per-diem basis. For instance, a veterinary technologist working three days a week can earn about $1,120 monthly based on a 24-hour schedule. Entry-level technicians might start at around $18.42 per hour, while more experienced individuals in specialized settings, such as emergency and critical care, can reach up to $31.53 per hour. It’s essential to understand that these hourly rates are estimates derived from annual salary projections, which provide a useful framework for evaluating potential earnings within various settings from general practice clinics to university teaching hospitals, zoos, and research facilities.
About the Arlington Heights Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($40,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.42 | $147.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.62 | $156.98 |
| Median (P50) | $23.39 | $187.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.77 | $230.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $31.53 | $252.27 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Arlington Heights
Based on $23.39/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.39/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Arlington Heights, IL can expect to earn approximately $48,650 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,067. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Arlington Heights.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Arlington Heights
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $935.57 | $4,054 | $48,650 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $561.34 | $2,432 | $29,190 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $374.23 | $1,622 | $19,460 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (Arlington Heights) | $23.39 |
| 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 Arlington Heights, IL earn a median of $48,641 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.69% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 1.60% below the Illinois state average of $49,432.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.39/hr = $29,190/year (purchasing power: $30,062).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,650/year (purchasing power: $50,103).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$16.53/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.17/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.39/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Arlington Heights (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.53/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.97/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.24/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.89/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.47/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.38/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.17/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.39/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.68/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Arlington Heights grew 34.1% from $16.53/hr (2019) to $22.17/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.68/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 Arlington Heights 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 Arlington Heights
Exploring the earning potential of part-time veterinary technologists and technicians reveals noteworthy differences compared to their full-time counterparts. A technician working 24 hours weekly would realize an annual take-home of about $26,784, which contrasts with the potential for much higher earnings through per-diem work, where experienced professionals can command rates ranging from $25 to $55 per hour. Particularly in Arlington Heights, nighttime or weekend shifts, especially in emergency care settings, can offer even more competitive hourly rates of $30 to $50, driven by demand. Employer type also plays a critical role in determining pay; corporate chains and specialty hospitals often have structured pay scales influenced by regional consolidation practices. Furthermore, some professionals may opt for positions with lower hourly rates for added benefits, such as health insurance. When negotiating their salaries, technicians should emphasize their credentials and any specialty training, such as VTS, to maximize their pay potential in Arlington Heights.
More salary data for Arlington Heights, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Arlington Heights in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinary technologists and technicians make in Arlington Heights?
Are veterinary technologists and technicians in Arlington Heights paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinary technologist and technician make per year in Arlington Heights?
Do veterinary technologists and technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Arlington Heights?
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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 Arlington Heights. 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 Arlington Heights 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