Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Fort Wayne, IN: $24.57 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in Fort Wayne, IN runs $24.57 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,094 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against Fort Wayne's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.6, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.54 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,665 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinary technologists and technicians in Fort Wayne, Indiana, can expect a median hourly pay of $24.57, slightly surpassing the national median of $24.03. This hourly rate is particularly favorable for those considering part-time positions, as working just three days a week in environments such as general practice, specialty hospitals, or even zoo facilities adds up quickly. Entry-level workers can anticipate earnings around $19.07, while those at the top of the pay scale can make as much as $29.03 per hour. This BLS data underscores the value of technical skills in veterinary care and illustrates the diverse workplaces in which these professionals operate, from busy clinics to research labs, reflecting a healthy labor market for the industry.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.07 | $152.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.98 | $159.85 |
| Median (P50) | $24.57 | $196.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.05 | $224.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.03 | $232.27 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fort Wayne
Based on $24.57/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.57/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fort Wayne, IN can expect to earn approximately $51,108 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,485. With a cost-of-living index of 92.57 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fort Wayne.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fort Wayne
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $982.84 | $4,259 | $51,108 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $589.70 | $2,555 | $30,665 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $393.14 | $1,704 | $20,443 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (Fort Wayne) | $24.57 |
| 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 Fort Wayne, IN earn a median of $51,094 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.22% higher than the national median of $49,986 and 1.30% above the Indiana state average of $50,438.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.57/hr = $30,665/year (purchasing power: $33,125).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,108/year (purchasing power: $55,208).
CoL index: 92.572 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$15.27/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.29/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.57/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+69.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Fort Wayne (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.27/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.25/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.57/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.30/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.56/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.56/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.29/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.57/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.92/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Fort Wayne grew 52.5% from $15.27/hr (2019) to $23.29/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.92/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 Fort Wayne 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 Fort Wayne
When analyzing the financial implications of varying work schedules, part-time veterinary technologists and technicians working 24 hours weekly can earn roughly $38,000 annually, significantly lower than their full-time counterparts. Per diem positions present another avenue for income, with rates commonly ranging from $25 to $40 per hour, depending on the employer and market demand. The need for overnight or weekend shifts, especially in understaffed emergency veterinary settings, can drive pay to $30-$50 per hour. Therefore, hourly rates can vary significantly based on the type of clinic or practice, with specialty or research facilities generally offering more stringent pay scales. However, many professionals must balance salary against benefits, as those accepting lower hourly rates in traditional clinics often enjoy health insurance, which is not always available for higher-paying per diem roles. For negotiating rates, savvy veterinary technologists in Fort Wayne should research local pay standards and have in mind the unique benefits each employment opportunity provides.
More salary data for Fort Wayne, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Fort Wayne in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinary technologists and technicians make in Fort Wayne?
Are veterinary technologists and technicians in Fort Wayne paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinary technologist and technician make per year in Fort Wayne?
Do veterinary technologists and technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Fort Wayne?
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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 Fort Wayne. 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