Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in St. Cloud, MN: $24.04 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in St. Cloud, MN runs $24.04 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $49,996 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against St. Cloud's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.6, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.44 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,006 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In St. Cloud, the projected veterinary technologist and technician hourly pay for 2026 stands at $24.04, slightly above the national median of $24.03. This hourly rate offers appealing opportunities for both part-time and per-diem workers who typically engage in various settings such as general practice treatment areas, specialty hospital ICU wards, and university teaching hospitals. For those considering part-time schedules, working just three days a week could yield substantial earnings, particularly when comparing it to the full-time equivalent. The hourly range extends from $18.35 for entry-level positions to approximately $28.91 for experienced professionals, reflecting the diversity of roles available within the industry as highlighted in official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.35 | $146.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.84 | $174.71 |
| Median (P50) | $24.04 | $192.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $26.03 | $208.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $28.91 | $231.26 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in St. Cloud
Based on $24.04/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.04/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in St. Cloud, MN can expect to earn approximately $50,010 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,852. With a cost-of-living index of 87.63 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in St. Cloud.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in St. Cloud
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $961.74 | $4,168 | $50,010 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $577.04 | $2,501 | $30,006 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $384.70 | $1,667 | $20,004 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (St. Cloud) | $24.04 |
| 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 St. Cloud, MN earn a median of $49,996 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.02% higher than the national median of $49,986 and 2.20% below the Minnesota state average of $51,121.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.04/hr = $30,006/year (purchasing power: $34,241).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $50,010/year (purchasing power: $57,069).
CoL index: 87.632 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$14.42/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.79/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.04/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+75.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in St. Cloud (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.42/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.56/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.52/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.02/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.38/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.03/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.79/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.04/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.37/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in St. Cloud grew 58.0% from $14.42/hr (2019) to $22.79/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.37/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 St. Cloud 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 St. Cloud
The financial dynamics of this profession reveal interesting nuances, particularly for those opting for part-time work. A veterinary technologist and technician on a three-day weekly schedule could see yearly earnings that, while less than full-time counterparts, can still provide a decent income. Meanwhile, per-diem veterinary technologist and technician pay in St. Cloud often lands between $25 to $40 per hour, with VTS-credentialed specialty techs commanding even higher rates of $35 to $55. Coverage for weekend and overnight shifts typically offers $30 to $50 per hour, especially in underserved markets. Furthermore, hourly rates vary significantly based on employer type, with general practices typically providing lower pay compared to corporate chains or specialty hospitals. As such, professionals must weigh the benefits, such as health insurance that might accompany lower hourly rates, against the potential for higher pay without benefits. Understanding the local job market and leveraging negotiation strategies is crucial for securing favorable terms in St. Cloud's competitive veterinary technician landscape.
More salary data for St. Cloud, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in St. Cloud in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinary technologists and technicians make in St. Cloud?
Are veterinary technologists and technicians in St. Cloud paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinary technologist and technician make per year in St. Cloud?
Do veterinary technologists and technicians earn more per hour working part-time in St. Cloud?
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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 St. Cloud. 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