Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Utica, NY: $25.58 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in Utica, NY runs $25.58 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $53,214 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against Utica's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.7, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.60 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,929 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

Veterinary technologist and technician hourly pay in Utica, NY, sees a median rate of $25.58, which surpasses the national hourly median of $24.03. This competitive wage reflects the value of skilled professionals tasked with providing essential care across various settings, including general practice treatment areas, specialty hospital ICUs, university teaching hospital clinics, zoos, and pharmaceutical research facilities. The hourly wage range spans from $23.21 for entry-level positions to $29.51 for experienced practitioners. With 80 employed veterinary technicians in the area, the pay structure offers meaningful opportunities for both part-time and per-diem work, enabling flexibility for individuals seeking to balance other commitments while contributing to animal care.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.21 | $185.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.93 | $191.42 |
| Median (P50) | $25.58 | $204.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.14 | $233.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.51 | $236.07 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Utica
Based on $25.58/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.58/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Utica, NY can expect to earn approximately $53,214 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,701. With a cost-of-living index of 92.68 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Utica.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Utica
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,023.35 | $4,435 | $53,214 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $614.01 | $2,661 | $31,929 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $409.34 | $1,774 | $21,286 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (Utica) | $25.58 |
| 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 Utica, NY earn a median of $53,214 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.46% higher than the national median of $49,986 and 1.70% below the New York state average of $54,134.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.58/hr = $31,929/year (purchasing power: $34,451).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $53,214/year (purchasing power: $57,418).
CoL index: 92.678 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$16.98/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.25/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.58/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+59.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Utica (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.98/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.23/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.87/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.79/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.22/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.23/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.25/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.58/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.99/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Utica grew 42.8% from $16.98/hr (2019) to $24.25/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.99/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 Utica 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 Utica
Considering part-time roles, a veterinary technologist and technician working three days a week (approximately 24 hours) could take home a substantially lower annual income compared to full-time workers, reflecting the trade-offs inherent in the profession. Per-diem opportunities in Utica often come with rates ranging from $25 to $40 per hour, with advanced, VTS-credentialed specialty techs potentially earning between $35 and $55 per hour. In understaffed environments, weekend and overnight ER shifts may command $30 to $50 per hour, showcasing the variability in compensation depending on employment settings. Factors influencing hourly pay include the type of employer, with general practice clinics typically offering lower wages than corporate chains or specialty hospitals. Veterinary technologists may sometimes choose employment with benefits over a higher hourly rate to ensure health insurance coverage, highlighting the complex dynamics of job offers in this field. For those looking to negotiate effectively in the Utica market, demonstrating specialized qualifications and flexibility in scheduling can enhance earning potential significantly.
More salary data for Utica, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Utica in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinary technologists and technicians make in Utica?
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Do veterinary technologists and technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Utica?
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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 Utica. 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