Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Garden City, KS: $21.65 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in Garden City, KS runs $21.65 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $45,031 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against Garden City's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $23.82 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $27,017 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Garden City, Kansas, the projected median hourly pay for veterinary technologists and technicians is $21.65, which falls below the national median of $24.03. This disparity can significantly affect part-time workers, such as those in general practice treatment areas or specialty hospital wards who commonly work three days a week. For these part-time positions, individuals can anticipate earning around $1,037 per week before taxes, assuming a 24-hour work schedule. The hourly range for veterinary technologists and technicians in Garden City spans from $16.76 at the entry-level to $27.32 for top earners. These hourly wage estimates are derived from annual salary data, offering insights into the earning potential within various veterinary environments including university clinics, zoo medical units, and pharmaceutical research facilities.
About the Garden City Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($34,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.76 | $134.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.86 | $142.89 |
| Median (P50) | $21.65 | $173.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $26.13 | $209.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $27.32 | $218.60 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Garden City
Based on $21.65/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.65/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Garden City, KS can expect to earn approximately $45,029 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $25,978. With a cost-of-living index of 90.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Garden City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Garden City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $865.94 | $3,752 | $45,029 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $519.57 | $2,251 | $27,017 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $346.38 | $1,501 | $18,012 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (Garden City) | $21.65 |
| 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 Garden City, KS earn a median of $45,031 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.91% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 0.90% below the Kansas state average of $45,440.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.65/hr = $27,017/year (purchasing power: $29,722).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $45,029/year (purchasing power: $49,537).
CoL index: 90.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$15.30/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$20.52/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.65/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Garden City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.30/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.70/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $15.96/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.56/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.94/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $14.73/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $20.52/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.65/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.84/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Garden City grew 34.1% from $15.30/hr (2019) to $20.52/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.84/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 Garden 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 Garden City
When considering annual earnings, part-time veterinary technologists and technicians working in Garden City typically make a fraction of what their full-time peers earn. With a 3-day workweek, a technician may take home approximately $54,328 annually, far less than the potential earnings of a full-time counterpart. Per diem veterinary technologist and technician pay in Garden City often ranges from $25 to $40 per hour, while VTS-credentialed specialty technicians can earn between $35 and $55 per hour. Hospitals often offer increased rates for weekend or overnight shifts, especially in shortage markets, at rates of $30-$50 per hour. Hourly wages can vary significantly depending on the employer type; corporate chain hospitals may provide more stable benefits at slightly lower pay, in contrast to specialty hospitals where earning potential can increase with experience and advanced credentials. For those negotiating their pay, understanding the value of benefits versus hourly rates is essential, particularly in a competitive workforce marked by significant demand for skilled veterinary technologists.
More salary data for Garden City, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Garden City in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinary technologists and technicians make in Garden City?
Are veterinary technologists and technicians in Garden City paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinary technologist and technician make per year in Garden City?
Do veterinary technologists and technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Garden City?
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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 Garden 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 Garden 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