Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Merrillville, IN: $23.27 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in Merrillville, IN runs $23.27 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,404 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against Merrillville's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.3, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.49 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,045 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, veterinary technologists and technicians in Merrillville, Indiana, can anticipate a median hourly pay of $23.27, which is slightly lower than the national median of $24.03. This wage allows those in the field to achieve a reasonable standard of living while working in various environments like general practice treatment areas and specialty hospitals. For part-time workers on a typical 3-day week schedule, this translates to approximately $1,118 per week, or around $57,136 annually if they were to work full-time hours. The hourly pay ranges from $18.00 for entry-level positions to $30.14 for experienced professionals, indicating the potential for significant earnings as one climbs the career ladder. These rates are derived from estimated annual salaries, reflecting how this profession is adapting to supply and demand in the workforce.
About the Merrillville Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($36,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.00 | $143.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.17 | $153.35 |
| Median (P50) | $23.27 | $186.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.08 | $224.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $30.14 | $241.13 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Merrillville
Based on $23.27/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.27/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Merrillville, IN can expect to earn approximately $48,408 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,928. With a cost-of-living index of 91.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Merrillville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Merrillville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $930.93 | $4,034 | $48,408 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $558.56 | $2,420 | $29,045 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $372.37 | $1,614 | $19,363 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (Merrillville) | $23.27 |
| 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 Merrillville, IN earn a median of $48,404 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.16% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 4.10% below the Indiana state average of $50,474.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.27/hr = $29,045/year (purchasing power: $31,813).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,408/year (purchasing power: $53,021).
CoL index: 91.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$16.44/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.06/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.27/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Merrillville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.44/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.88/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.16/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.80/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.37/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $15.16/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.06/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.27/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.55/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Merrillville grew 34.1% from $16.44/hr (2019) to $22.06/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.55/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 Merrillville 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 Merrillville
Focusing on the part-time and per-diem scenario, a veterinary technologist or technician working three days a week may take home an annual income far less than their full-time counterparts, yet still manage to secure a reliable income stream. Per-diem veterinarians typically command higher rates, often billing anywhere from $25 to $40 per hour, depending on their skills and the urgencies of the local market. For specialty and overnight coverage, qualifications such as the VTS credential allow technicians to charge between $35 and $55 per hour, an attractive incentive amid staffing shortages in the veterinary industry. Employers vary widely—from general practice clinics to corporate chains and even specialized hospitals—which results in diverse hourly rates across different settings. While some may opt for higher-paying positions that offer limited or no benefits, others prefer the stability of lower hourly pay in jobs that include health insurance and retirement plans. Solid negotiation strategies, such as being upfront about skills and experience and understanding market rates, can greatly enhance earning potential for hourly workers in Merrillville.
More salary data for Merrillville, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Merrillville in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinary technologists and technicians make in Merrillville?
Are veterinary technologists and technicians in Merrillville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinary technologist and technician make per year in Merrillville?
Do veterinary technologists and technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Merrillville?
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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 Merrillville. 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 Merrillville 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