Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Los Lunas, NM: $21.09 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in Los Lunas, NM runs $21.09 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $43,857 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against Los Lunas's regional price level (BEA RPP 94.4, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $22.34 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $26,320 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Veterinary technologists and technicians in Los Lunas, NM, can expect a median hourly pay of $21.09, which falls short of the national median of $24.03. This rate reflects the compensation available for a range of roles within typical veterinary environments such as general practices, specialty hospitals, and universities. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, the financial implications may be significant, especially when considering the hourly pay span from $17.48 for entry-level positions to $26.51 for top earners. Those engaged in per diem roles can also find opportunities in diverse settings, allowing for flexible work schedules that can supplement incomes effectively, especially in fields like emergency care or specialty medicine.
About the Los Lunas Market
Salary estimated from New Mexico 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) | $17.48 | $139.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.11 | $144.91 |
| Median (P50) | $21.09 | $168.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $25.01 | $200.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $26.51 | $212.10 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Los Lunas
Based on $21.09/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.09/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Los Lunas, NM can expect to earn approximately $43,866 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $25,307. With a cost-of-living index of 94.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Los Lunas.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Los Lunas
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $843.58 | $3,656 | $43,866 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $506.15 | $2,193 | $26,320 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $337.43 | $1,462 | $17,546 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (Los Lunas) | $21.09 |
| 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 Los Lunas, NM earn a median of $43,857 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.26% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 7.10% below the New Mexico state average of $47,209.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.09/hr = $26,320/year (purchasing power: $27,881).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $43,866/year (purchasing power: $46,468).
CoL index: 94.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$14.90/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$19.99/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.09/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Los Lunas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.90/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.30/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $15.55/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.13/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.45/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $14.34/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $19.99/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.09/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.25/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Los Lunas grew 34.1% from $14.90/hr (2019) to $19.99/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.25/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 Los Lunas 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 Los Lunas
In exploring earning potential, part-time veterinary technologists and technicians working 24 hours a week could see their annual take-home significantly differ from full-time colleagues. Per diem providers typically charge between $25 and $40 per hour; those with Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) credentials can earn even higher rates between $35 and $55 an hour, especially in specialized fields during high-demand shifts, such as weekends and overnight. Employers in Los Lunas, including corporate veterinary chains and specialized referral hospitals, may offer varied pay depending on the resources they allocate to benefits versus hourly compensation. It's not unusual for technicians to accept lower hourly rates in exchange for health insurance and stability. For those negotiating pay, emphasizing specialty training and flexibility can be advantageous, particularly in such a competitive market driven by an ongoing workforce shortage in veterinary medicine.
More salary data for Los Lunas, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Los Lunas in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinary technologists and technicians make in Los Lunas?
Are veterinary technologists and technicians in Los Lunas paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinary technologist and technician make per year in Los Lunas?
Do veterinary technologists and technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Los Lunas?
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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 Los Lunas. 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 Los Lunas 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