Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Cedar Falls, IA: $23.42 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in Cedar Falls, IA runs $23.42 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,714 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against Cedar Falls's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.91 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,229 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Cedar Falls, Iowa, veterinary technologists and technicians earn a median hourly rate of $23.42, slightly below the national median of $24.03. This pay scale reflects not only the demand for skilled professionals in the region but also the cost of living, which is lower than the national average. Part-time technicians working three days a week can anticipate a steady income from this hourly pay, allowing for potential flexibility without the commitment of full-time hours. The hourly rates in Cedar Falls range from $17.42 for entry-level positions to $29.54 for seasoned professionals, indicating a substantial opportunity for growth within the field. This structure is derived from projected annual salary data, where the corresponding figures highlight the valuation of such positions within various settings, including general practice clinics, specialty animal hospitals, university teaching hospitals, and more.
About the Cedar Falls Market
Salary estimated from Iowa 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) | $17.42 | $139.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.21 | $161.71 |
| Median (P50) | $23.42 | $187.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.76 | $222.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.54 | $236.32 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cedar Falls
Based on $23.42/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.42/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cedar Falls, IA can expect to earn approximately $48,716 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,105. With a cost-of-living index of 90.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cedar Falls.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cedar Falls
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $936.84 | $4,060 | $48,716 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $562.10 | $2,436 | $29,229 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $374.74 | $1,624 | $19,486 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (Cedar Falls) | $23.42 |
| 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 Cedar Falls, IA earn a median of $48,714 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.54% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 2.20% above the Iowa state average of $47,665.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.42/hr = $29,229/year (purchasing power: $32,333).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,716/year (purchasing power: $53,889).
CoL index: 90.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$16.55/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.20/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.42/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Cedar Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.55/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.99/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.27/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.92/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.49/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $15.50/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.20/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.42/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.71/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Cedar Falls grew 34.1% from $16.55/hr (2019) to $22.20/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.71/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 Cedar Falls 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 Cedar Falls
Veterinary technologists and technicians working in Cedar Falls can navigate different earning potentials depending on their work arrangements. For those opting for part-time employment, taking home a consistent income over the year can be appealing, with 24-hour weekly schedules translating into approximately $29,579 annually versus a full-time role which generally offers higher annual earnings. Additionally, per-diem workers in this profession typically bill anywhere from $25 to $40 per hour, with specialized veterinary technicians holding VTS credentials often commanding rates between $35 and $55 per hour. Weekend and overnight shifts can be particularly lucrative, especially in understaffed emergency hospitals, with pay rates reaching up to $50 per hour. Variation in hourly pay is evident across employer types, where corporate chain hospitals and specialized facilities can offer higher wages than general practices. However, many may choose to prioritize benefits like health insurance over hourly pay, illustrating the trade-offs workers often face. Negotiating effectively based on local market demand and one's skill set can lead to better remuneration opportunities for these professionals in Cedar Falls.
More salary data for Cedar Falls, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Cedar Falls in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinary technologists and technicians make in Cedar Falls?
Are veterinary technologists and technicians in Cedar Falls paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinary technologist and technician make per year in Cedar Falls?
Do veterinary technologists and technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Cedar Falls?
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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 Cedar Falls. 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 Cedar Falls 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