Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Belton, MO: $19.25 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in Belton, MO runs $19.25 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $40,057 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against Belton's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.6, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.49 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $24,029 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Belton, Missouri, the veterinary technologist and technician hourly pay is set at a median of $19.25 in 2026, which falls short of the national median hourly rate of $24.03. For professionals working part-time at a typical schedule of three days a week, this pay translates to about $1,541 weekly, which can be essential for those balancing work with education or family commitments. Additionally, per-diem workers in this field often earn between $14.89 and $23.63 per hour, depending on their experience level and work setting, such as in general practice clinics, specialty hospitals, university teaching hospitals, or even in pharmaceutical research facilities. This range highlights the disparity in earning potential from entry-level positions to those with significant experience or additional certifications, demonstrating the variation in pay that can be expected in the local market.
About the Belton Market
Salary estimated from Missouri 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) | $14.89 | $119.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $15.76 | $126.09 |
| Median (P50) | $19.25 | $154.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $22.55 | $180.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $23.63 | $189.06 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Belton
Based on $19.25/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.25/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Belton, MO can expect to earn approximately $40,048 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $23,105. With a cost-of-living index of 89.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Belton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Belton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $770.15 | $3,337 | $40,048 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $462.09 | $2,002 | $24,029 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $308.06 | $1,335 | $16,019 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (Belton) | $19.25 |
| 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 Belton, MO earn a median of $40,057 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.86% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 5.50% below the Missouri state average of $42,389.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.25/hr = $24,029/year (purchasing power: $26,818).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $40,048/year (purchasing power: $44,696).
CoL index: 89.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$13.60/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.25/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.25/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Belton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $13.60/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $13.97/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.19/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $14.73/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $16.85/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $13.85/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.25/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.25/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $20.31/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Belton grew 34.1% from $13.60/hr (2019) to $18.25/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $20.31/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 Belton 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 Belton
Exploring part-time positions reveals more about the financial realities for veterinary technologists and technicians in Belton. A professional working 24 hours a week could earn approximately $40,057 annually, significantly lower than those working 40-hour weeks. Per diem roles present a different income opportunity; they can command rates between $25-$40 per hour for general roles, with VTS-credentialed specialty technicians potentially earning up to $55 per hour. Weekend or overnight shifts often pay even more, ranging from $30 to $50 per hour due to the staffing shortages prevalent in this field. Many workers may choose to accept lower hourly rates with larger corporate practices for benefits such as health insurance, while others prioritize higher pay for flexibility. When negotiating their pay, local technologists are encouraged to consider the type of employer, whether it's a corporate chain, specialty referral hospitals, or research labs, as the pay can vary significantly across these different work environments in Missouri.
More salary data for Belton, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Belton in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinary technologists and technicians make in Belton?
Are veterinary technologists and technicians in Belton paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinary technologist and technician make per year in Belton?
Do veterinary technologists and technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Belton?
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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 Belton. 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 Belton 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