Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Monroe, LA: $16.42 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in Monroe, LA runs $16.42 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $34,140 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against Monroe's regional price level (BEA RPP 83.6, 16% below national), each hour of work buys what $19.64 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $20,487 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinary technologists and technicians in Monroe, Louisiana, earn a median hourly rate of $16.42, which falls significantly short of the national median hourly rate of $24.03. This discrepancy highlights the local cost of living index, which sits at 83.597, indicating that living expenses in Monroe are lower than the national average. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, the reduced hours mean potentially lower annual earnings, yet, these professionals can still find viable employment in various environments, including general practice treatment areas and specialty hospitals. Hourly pay ranges from $11.32 for entry-level positions to $22.64 for the most experienced technicians, illustrating a clear pathway for increased earnings as one gains expertise in the field. This pay structure results from official BLS projections based on data collected in 2025.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $11.32 | $90.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $14.62 | $116.98 |
| Median (P50) | $16.42 | $131.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $18.08 | $144.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $22.64 | $181.12 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Monroe
Based on $16.42/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $16.42/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Monroe, LA can expect to earn approximately $34,145 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $19,699. With a cost-of-living index of 83.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Monroe.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Monroe
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $656.63 | $2,845 | $34,145 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $393.98 | $1,707 | $20,487 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $262.65 | $1,138 | $13,658 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (Monroe) | $16.42 |
| 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 Monroe, LA earn a median of $34,140 per year (2026 est.), which is 31.70% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 8.10% below the Louisiana state average of $37,149.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $16.42/hr = $20,487/year (purchasing power: $24,507).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $34,145/year (purchasing power: $40,845).
CoL index: 83.597 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$11.62/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$15.56/hr
2026 Current Est.
$16.42/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Monroe (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $11.62/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $11.91/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $12.10/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $11.41/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $13.21/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $12.49/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $15.56/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $16.42/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $17.32/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Monroe grew 33.9% from $11.62/hr (2019) to $15.56/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $17.32/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 Monroe 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 Monroe
In evaluating the earning potential for part-time veterinary technologists and technicians working 24 hours a week, the income taken home can be significantly different when compared to full-time employment opportunities. Per diem arrangements are quite common, with pay rates ranging from $25 to $40 per hour for temporary or agency positions, often exceeding Monroe's median rate substantially. Specialty technicians, particularly those with a Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) credential, can command $35 to $55 per hour, especially in high-demand areas or during weekend and overnight shifts, where rates may spike to $30 to $50 per hour due to staffing shortages. Employers such as corporate chain hospitals and specialty referral centers typically offer different compensation packages; while corporate chains might provide higher hourly wages, they often lack benefits, which are usually included in full-time roles. Negotiation is key—those in Monroe should assess the complete compensation package rather than focusing solely on hourly pay, ensuring a balance between pay rate and benefits that aligns with their career goals.
More salary data for Monroe, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Monroe in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinary technologists and technicians make in Monroe?
Are veterinary technologists and technicians in Monroe paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinary technologist and technician make per year in Monroe?
Do veterinary technologists and technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Monroe?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Louisiana
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 Monroe. 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, 5-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