Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Santa Fe, NM: $23.41 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in Santa Fe, NM runs $23.41 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,699 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against Santa Fe's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.8, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $23.70 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,216 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Santa Fe, New Mexico, veterinary technologists and technicians can expect a median hourly pay of $23.41, which is slightly below the national median hourly rate of $24.03. This compensation is relevant not just for full-time positions but also for those working part-time or per diem, which commonly occur in various clinical environments such as general practice treatment areas, specialty hospitals, and university teaching clinics. For individuals working a schedule of three days a week, this pay equates to substantial earnings on a weekly basis, with entry-level wages at approximately $18.92 and top earners making around $29.11 per hour. Such figures, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, illustrate the financial landscape for veterinary technicians in this unique city, where the cost of living index is slightly below the national average.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.92 | $151.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.39 | $187.11 |
| Median (P50) | $23.41 | $187.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $24.08 | $192.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.11 | $232.86 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Santa Fe
Based on $23.41/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.41/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Santa Fe, NM can expect to earn approximately $48,694 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,093. With a cost-of-living index of 98.77 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Santa Fe.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Santa Fe
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $936.42 | $4,058 | $48,694 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $561.85 | $2,435 | $29,216 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $374.57 | $1,623 | $19,477 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (Santa Fe) | $23.41 |
| 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 Santa Fe, NM earn a median of $48,699 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.57% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 3.20% above the New Mexico state average of $47,189.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.41/hr = $29,216/year (purchasing power: $29,581).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,694/year (purchasing power: $49,302).
CoL index: 98.767 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.97/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.19/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.41/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Santa Fe (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.97/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.83/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.39/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.70/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.82/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.57/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.19/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.41/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.70/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Santa Fe grew 17.0% from $18.97/hr (2019) to $22.19/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.70/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 Santa Fe 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 Santa Fe
Looking at part-time earnings, a veterinary technologist and technician working three days a week may take home about $36,457 annually, contrasting significantly with full-time peers earning substantially more. Per diem veterinary technologist and technician pay in Santa Fe typically falls between $25 to $40 per hour, with specialist roles commanding higher rates, often between $35 and $55 per hour. The variation in hourly rates is influenced by employer types, with corporate chains and specialty hospitals possibly offering more competitive pay compared to general practice clinics, but often lacking in benefits. For many, balancing direct pay against health insurance and additional perks becomes a key consideration. Effective negotiation strategies for hourly workers in Santa Fe could include highlighting specialized training or experience, especially for those pursuing VTS credentials, to secure better terms and enhance their financial position in an industry facing critical staff shortages.
More salary data for Santa Fe, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Santa Fe in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinary technologists and technicians make in Santa Fe?
Are veterinary technologists and technicians in Santa Fe paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinary technologist and technician make per year in Santa Fe?
Do veterinary technologists and technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Santa Fe?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in New Mexico
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 Santa Fe. 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