Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Hattiesburg, MS: $17.77 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in Hattiesburg, MS runs $17.77 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $36,967 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against Hattiesburg's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.6, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $20.27 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $22,172 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinary technologists and technicians in Hattiesburg, MS, earn a median hourly rate of $17.77, which is significantly lower than the national median of $24.03. This discrepancy means that those working part-time schedules, like three days a week, might find their earnings insufficient to meet their financial needs. The hourly rate varies from $15.21 for entry-level positions to $19.83 for those at the higher end of the pay scale, reflecting the diverse settings in which these professionals operate, including general practice treatment areas, specialty hospitals, and pharmaceutical research facilities. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and highlight the ongoing challenges faced by veterinary professionals in Hattiesburg.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.21 | $121.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $15.84 | $126.68 |
| Median (P50) | $17.77 | $142.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $19.11 | $152.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $19.83 | $158.67 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Hattiesburg
Based on $17.77/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $17.77/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Hattiesburg, MS can expect to earn approximately $36,954 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $21,319. With a cost-of-living index of 87.63 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Hattiesburg.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Hattiesburg
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $710.65 | $3,079 | $36,954 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $426.39 | $1,848 | $22,172 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $284.26 | $1,232 | $14,781 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (Hattiesburg) | $17.77 |
| 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 Hattiesburg, MS earn a median of $36,967 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.05% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 13.70% below the Mississippi state average of $42,836.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $17.77/hr = $22,172/year (purchasing power: $25,301).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $36,954/year (purchasing power: $42,169).
CoL index: 87.633 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.22/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$16.84/hr
2026 Current Est.
$17.77/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+-28.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Hattiesburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.22/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.20/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $12.64/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $13.23/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $15.84/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $16.50/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $16.84/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $17.77/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $18.74/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Hattiesburg grew -35.8% from $26.22/hr (2019) to $16.84/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $18.74/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 Hattiesburg 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 Hattiesburg
In terms of part-time earnings, a veterinary technologist and technician working 24 hours a week would bring home roughly $20,746 annually, in stark contrast to full-time counterparts earning around $36,967. Contract or per-diem work often offers greater flexibility, with per diem veterinary technologists and technicians in Hattiesburg likely billing between $25 and $40 an hour. Specialty technicians with VTS credentials can command rates of $35 to $55, while weekend and overnight shifts at understaffed hospitals may offer rates from $30 to $50. Employers such as corporate chain hospitals, specialty referral centers, and research labs may differ in pay, often offering benefits that could make accepting lower hourly wages appealing. Negotiating effectively around benefits and pay rates is crucial, as many factors influence compensation in this field, including workload, employer type, and individual credentials.
More salary data for Hattiesburg, MS:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Hattiesburg in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinary technologists and technicians make in Hattiesburg?
Are veterinary technologists and technicians in Hattiesburg paid hourly or salary?
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Do veterinary technologists and technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Hattiesburg?
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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 Hattiesburg. 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