Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Amherst, MA: $24.30 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in Amherst, MA runs $24.30 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $50,530 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against Amherst's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.5, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $22.39 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,322 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Amherst, Massachusetts, veterinary technologists and technicians can expect a median hourly rate of $24.30, slightly above the national median of $24.03. This figure provides insight into the earnings that part-time workers, such as those employed three days a week, might bring home in a typical work setting, including general practice clinics and specialty hospitals. Entry-level veterinary technicians can start at around $18.10 per hour, while experienced professionals with VTS credentials can earn up to $30.71 per hour. Such salary ranges reflect the growing demand for skilled personnel in the veterinary field as the market faces a significant workforce shortage.
About the Amherst Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.10 | $144.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.97 | $167.79 |
| Median (P50) | $24.30 | $194.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.78 | $230.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $30.71 | $245.69 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Amherst
Based on $24.30/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.30/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Amherst, MA can expect to earn approximately $50,537 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,156. With a cost-of-living index of 108.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Amherst.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Amherst
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $971.87 | $4,211 | $50,537 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $583.12 | $2,527 | $30,322 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $388.75 | $1,685 | $20,215 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (Amherst) | $24.30 |
| 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 Amherst, MA earn a median of $50,530 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.09% higher than the national median of $49,986 and 0.90% below the Massachusetts state average of $50,989.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.30/hr = $30,322/year (purchasing power: $27,947).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $50,537/year (purchasing power: $46,578).
CoL index: 108.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$17.17/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.03/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.30/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Amherst (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.17/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.62/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.91/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.59/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.26/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.84/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.03/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.30/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.63/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Amherst grew 34.1% from $17.17/hr (2019) to $23.03/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.63/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 Amherst 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 Amherst
The potential for part-time work in this profession is substantial, allowing those who work three days a week (24 hours) to take home an annual income that can range between $18,000 and $34,000, depending on their hourly rate. Furthermore, the environment for per-diem or agency roles is lucrative, with rates often falling between $25 and $40 per hour for general duties and even higher for specialized tasks, where top earners can command hourly pay between $30 and $55 in high-demand settings. In Amherst, hourly rates can vary significantly by facility type—general practices may pay less than corporate chains and specialty hospitals. Some veterinary technologists and technicians must weigh lower hourly rates with health benefits against the possibility of higher pay for freelance or locum work without health insurance. For those in the field negotiating pay, knowing the competitive rates and specific employer expectations can be vital to ensuring fair compensation in this evolving job market.
More salary data for Amherst, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Amherst in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinary technologists and technicians make in Amherst?
Are veterinary technologists and technicians in Amherst paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinary technologist and technician make per year in Amherst?
Do veterinary technologists and technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Amherst?
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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 Amherst. 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 Amherst 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