Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Ames, IA: $25.73 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in Ames, IA runs $25.73 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $53,520 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against Ames's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.8, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.97 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,113 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinary technologists and technicians in Ames, Iowa, earn a median hourly rate of $25.73, which is slightly above the national median of $24.03. This competitive rate reflects the high demand for skilled professionals in various settings such as general practice clinics, specialty hospitals, university teaching hospitals, and even zoo medical units. For part-time and per-diem workers, this translates into a solid income, particularly for those working 24 hours per week. Entry-level positions typically start around $20.22 per hour, while experienced professionals can command rates up to $39.87 per hour. These figures are drawn from official BLS data, indicating the positive trajectory for veterinary technician roles in the region.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.22 | $161.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.52 | $196.15 |
| Median (P50) | $25.73 | $205.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.39 | $259.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.87 | $318.95 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Ames
Based on $25.73/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.73/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Ames, IA can expect to earn approximately $53,521 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,878. With a cost-of-living index of 88.83 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Ames.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Ames
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,029.26 | $4,460 | $53,521 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $617.55 | $2,676 | $32,113 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $411.70 | $1,784 | $21,409 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (Ames) | $25.73 |
| 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 Ames, IA earn a median of $53,520 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.07% higher than the national median of $49,986 and 12.30% above the Iowa state average of $47,658.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.73/hr = $32,113/year (purchasing power: $36,151).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $53,521/year (purchasing power: $60,252).
CoL index: 88.83 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.77/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.39/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.73/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+37.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Ames (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.77/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.42/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.77/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.43/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.19/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.46/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.39/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.73/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.15/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Ames grew 23.4% from $19.77/hr (2019) to $24.39/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.15/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 Ames 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 Ames
Employing a part-time schedule can yield approximately $32,000 annually for a veterinary technologist and technician working three days a week, significantly less than full-time counterparts. However, the allure of per-diem work offers the potential to increase earnings substantially; for example, common rates range from $25 to $40 per hour for general duties, with veterinary technician specialists often making $35 to $55 per hour, especially in critical care environments. The variation in pay across different employers in Ames can be pronounced; general practices might offer lower rates compared to corporate chains or specialty hospitals. While some professionals accept lower hourly wages in exchange for health benefits, others prioritize higher pay without benefits. Negotiating pay around the specifics of job responsibilities and employer circumstances can lead to better outcomes for hourly workers, particularly given the acute workforce shortage in the veterinary field.
More salary data for Ames, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Ames. 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