Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Buffalo, NY: $25.41 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in Buffalo, NY runs $25.41 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $52,856 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against Buffalo's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.8, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.52 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,718 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinary technologists and technicians in Buffalo, NY, earn a median hourly rate of $25.41, surpassing the national hourly median of $24.03 by a healthy margin of 5.74%. This translates into a stable income for those working in various settings, including general practice treatment areas, specialty hospitals, and even university teaching hospitals. Entry-level positions start around $23.78 per hour, while top earners in the field can make up to $30.88 hourly. These figures, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, reflect a steady demand for skilled professionals in this growing sector, particularly significant given the workforce shortages being experienced across the industry.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.78 | $190.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.76 | $198.09 |
| Median (P50) | $25.41 | $203.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.82 | $238.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $30.88 | $247.04 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Buffalo
Based on $25.41/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.41/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Buffalo, NY can expect to earn approximately $52,863 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,498. With a cost-of-living index of 95.84 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Buffalo.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Buffalo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,016.60 | $4,405 | $52,863 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $609.96 | $2,643 | $31,718 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $406.64 | $1,762 | $21,145 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (Buffalo) | $25.41 |
| 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 Buffalo, NY earn a median of $52,856 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.74% higher than the national median of $49,986 and 2.40% below the New York state average of $54,155.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.41/hr = $31,718/year (purchasing power: $33,093).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $52,863/year (purchasing power: $55,155).
CoL index: 95.844 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.81/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.09/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.41/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+50.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Buffalo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.81/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.87/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.53/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.69/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.85/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.44/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.09/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.41/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.81/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Buffalo grew 35.3% from $17.81/hr (2019) to $24.09/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.81/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 Buffalo 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 Buffalo
For veterinary technologists and technicians working part-time, the financial outlook can vary significantly. A typical 24-hour weekly schedule translates to an annual income of approximately $31,289, which is drastically lower than full-time counterparts but offers flexibility. Per diem veterinary technologist and technician pay in Buffalo can often reach between $25 and $40 per hour, especially for those willing to step into roles that require on-demand staffing, such as emergency coverage. Additionally, specialty credential holders (VTS) can command hourly rates of $35 to $55, reflecting their advanced skills. While general practices might offer lower pay rates, they often provide health insurance benefits, making it a trade-off that many are willing to consider. To gain a competitive edge, local professionals should focus on negotiation skills tailored to their specific employer type and be aware of the ongoing competitive landscape influenced by corporate consolidations in the veterinary field.
More salary data for Buffalo, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Buffalo in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinary technologists and technicians make in Buffalo?
Are veterinary technologists and technicians in Buffalo paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinary technologist and technician make per year in Buffalo?
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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 Buffalo. 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