Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Calumet City, IL: $22.53 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in Calumet City, IL runs $22.53 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $46,872 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against Calumet City's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $23.21 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,123 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Calumet City, the projected median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians is estimated at $22.53, which falls below the national hourly median of $24.03. This disparity can influence part-time or per-diem workers, especially those juggling commitments in settings such as general practice treatment facilities, specialty hospital ICUs, and university teaching clinics. With an hourly range from $17.69 for entry-level positions to $28.70 for top earners, professionals may find their earning potential varies significantly. Understanding how to navigate these rates can help workers strategize their career paths and work schedules, whether opting for three days a week or maximizing per-diem opportunities in high-demand areas like emergency and critical care.
About the Calumet City 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) | $17.69 | $141.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.76 | $150.06 |
| Median (P50) | $22.53 | $180.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $26.89 | $215.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $28.70 | $229.57 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Calumet City
Based on $22.53/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.53/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Calumet City, IL can expect to earn approximately $46,872 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,042. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Calumet City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Calumet City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $901.39 | $3,906 | $46,872 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $540.84 | $2,344 | $28,123 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $360.56 | $1,562 | $18,749 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (Calumet City) | $22.53 |
| 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 Calumet City, IL earn a median of $46,872 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.23% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 5.20% below the Illinois state average of $49,443.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.53/hr = $28,123/year (purchasing power: $28,963).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $46,872/year (purchasing power: $48,272).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$15.92/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.36/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.53/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Calumet City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.92/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.35/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $16.61/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.24/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $19.72/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.71/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.36/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.53/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.77/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Calumet City grew 34.1% from $15.92/hr (2019) to $21.36/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.77/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 Calumet 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 Calumet City
For those working part-time, a schedule of three days per week at 24 hours might yield an annual income that is considerably lower than that of a full-time position, creating a challenge for budget management. Per-diem veterinary technologists and technicians in Calumet City often command higher hourly rates, billing anywhere from $25 to $40. Particularly, those with VTS credentials can earn between $35 and $55 per hour, especially for weekend or overnight shifts in understaffed emergency rooms where rates can escalate to $30-$50. The pay landscape varies across employer types in Calumet City, from the affordability of general practice clinics to the potentially higher rates at corporate hospitals or specialty facilities. Many technologists and technicians must weigh the benefits of employment, such as health insurance, against higher pay rates without benefits. Those negotiating rates should be aware of local market conditions and consider the employer type when discussing compensation.
More salary data for Calumet City, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Calumet City in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinary technologists and technicians make in Calumet City?
Are veterinary technologists and technicians in Calumet City paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinary technologist and technician make per year in Calumet City?
Do veterinary technologists and technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Calumet City?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Illinois
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 Calumet 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 Calumet 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