Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Bloomington, IL: $23.81 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in Bloomington, IL runs $23.81 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $49,522 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against Bloomington's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.5, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.46 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,717 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Bloomington, veterinary technologists and technicians receive a median hourly rate of $23.81, slightly below the national median of $24.03. This compensation reflects the typical earnings in various work settings, including general practice clinics, specialty hospitals, university teaching hospitals, and even in unique environments like zoos or pharmaceutical research facilities. Entry-level professionals may start at around $18.81 per hour, while those at the top of the pay scale can earn up to $29.78. For part-time workers, those logging 24 hours a week over three days can expect to earn about $33,000 annually, making this hourly pay structure particularly relevant for individuals seeking flexible employment options.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.81 | $150.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.24 | $153.95 |
| Median (P50) | $23.81 | $190.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $25.45 | $203.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.78 | $238.26 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bloomington
Based on $23.81/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.81/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bloomington, IL can expect to earn approximately $49,528 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,574. With a cost-of-living index of 93.54 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Bloomington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bloomington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $952.45 | $4,127 | $49,528 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $571.47 | $2,476 | $29,717 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $380.98 | $1,651 | $19,811 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (Bloomington) | $23.81 |
| 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 Bloomington, IL earn a median of $49,522 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.93% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 0.20% above the Illinois state average of $49,423.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.81/hr = $29,717/year (purchasing power: $31,770).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $49,528/year (purchasing power: $52,950).
CoL index: 93.537 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$12.76/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.57/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.81/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+96.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Bloomington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $12.76/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.38/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.12/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.22/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $16.60/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.13/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.57/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.81/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.12/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Bloomington grew 76.9% from $12.76/hr (2019) to $22.57/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.12/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 Bloomington 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 Bloomington
The opportunity to work in per-diem or temporary roles can further influence earnings, as many per-diem veterinary technologists and technicians in Bloomington can command rates between $25 and $40 per hour, especially in high-demand settings such as emergency and specialty care. For example, VTS-credentialed technicians may find positions that pay between $35 and $55 per hour, compared to traditional roles where the hourly wage is less competitive but offers benefits like health insurance. The variability of hourly rates across employer types means that those employed in corporate veterinary hospitals and specialty clinics might have more financial leverage, given the acute workforce shortages in the field. Negotiating hourly rates often hinges on practical experience and specialization, reflecting the growing demand for skilled professionals in this sector.
More salary data for Bloomington, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Bloomington in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinary technologists and technicians make in Bloomington?
Are veterinary technologists and technicians in Bloomington paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinary technologist and technician make per year in Bloomington?
Do veterinary technologists and technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Bloomington?
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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 Bloomington. 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, 6-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