Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Jefferson City, MO: $20.34 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in Jefferson City, MO runs $20.34 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $42,306 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against Jefferson City's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.0, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $23.12 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $25,385 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinary technologists and technicians in Jefferson City, MO, have a median hourly rate of $20.34, which falls short of the national median of $24.03 per hour. This difference highlights the local market's struggles compared to national standards. For those working part-time, like in general practice treatment areas or specialty hospital settings, this hourly pay translates to a potentially reliable source of income while allowing for flexibility. With an hourly range from $15.70 at the entry-level to $23.70 for higher earners, individuals can find themselves experiencing a variety of earning potential based on experience and type of work environment, whether it's in a university teaching hospital, zoo, or pharmaceutical research facility. These figures are based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, reflecting the current dynamics in veterinary medicine.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.70 | $125.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.64 | $149.13 |
| Median (P50) | $20.34 | $162.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.13 | $185.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $23.70 | $189.56 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Jefferson City
Based on $20.34/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $20.34/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Jefferson City, MO can expect to earn approximately $42,308 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $24,408. With a cost-of-living index of 87.97 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Jefferson City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Jefferson City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $813.62 | $3,526 | $42,308 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $488.17 | $2,115 | $25,385 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $325.45 | $1,410 | $16,923 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (Jefferson City) | $20.34 |
| 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 Jefferson City, MO earn a median of $42,306 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.36% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 0.10% below the Missouri state average of $42,348.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $20.34/hr = $25,385/year (purchasing power: $28,855).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $42,308/year (purchasing power: $48,091).
CoL index: 87.975 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$14.37/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$19.28/hr
2026 Current Est.
$20.34/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Jefferson City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.37/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $14.76/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.27/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.81/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.84/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.63/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $19.28/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $20.34/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21.46/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Jefferson City grew 34.1% from $14.37/hr (2019) to $19.28/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $21.46/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 Jefferson City 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 Jefferson City
Focusing on the part-time earning potential, a veterinary technologist or technician working three days a week (approximately 24 hours) might expect to take home just under $30,000 annually. This is considerably less than what full-time technicians would earn. Many per-diem veterinary technologists and technicians report billing anywhere from $25 to $40 per hour, especially in high-demand environments like emergency and specialty care, where qualified professionals are needed urgently. The type of employer significantly influences hourly rates as well; general practice clinics may offer lower wages compared to corporate chain hospitals or specialty referral facilities, where hourly pay can reach the upper end of the market, especially for VTS-credentialed specialists. Opting for lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance is a common trade-off in this profession. For those negotiating job offers or seeking increased pay in Jefferson City, being informed about specialized skills and market conditions proves advantageous and can help in securing a better compensation package while navigating the local veterinary job landscape.
More salary data for Jefferson City, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Jefferson City in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinary technologists and technicians make in Jefferson City?
Are veterinary technologists and technicians in Jefferson City paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinary technologist and technician make per year in Jefferson City?
Do veterinary technologists and technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Jefferson City?
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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 Jefferson City. 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