Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Asheville, NC: $23.83 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in Asheville, NC runs $23.83 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $49,574 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against Asheville's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.5, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.70 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,743 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinary technologists and technicians in Asheville, North Carolina, can expect a median hourly rate of $23.83 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $24.03. This pay scale creates a unique landscape for part-time workers, as those employed three days a week would earn approximately $17,800 annually based on a 24-hour workweek—clearly illustrating the financial nuances of part-time employment in this field. The hourly pay range varies significantly, starting from around $18.23 for entry-level positions and reaching up to $30.33 for experienced professionals in specialized settings such as emergency animal care, university teaching hospitals, or pharmaceutical research facilities. This data is sourced from 2025 BLS OEWS data and projections for 2026, reflecting pay for veterinary technologist and technician roles in Asheville.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.23 | $145.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.39 | $155.13 |
| Median (P50) | $23.83 | $190.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.35 | $218.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $30.33 | $242.65 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Asheville
Based on $23.83/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.83/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Asheville, NC can expect to earn approximately $49,571 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,599. With a cost-of-living index of 96.51 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Asheville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Asheville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $953.30 | $4,131 | $49,571 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $571.98 | $2,479 | $29,743 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $381.32 | $1,652 | $19,829 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (Asheville) | $23.83 |
| 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 Asheville, NC earn a median of $49,574 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.82% lower than the national median of $49,986.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.83/hr = $29,743/year (purchasing power: $30,820).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $49,571/year (purchasing power: $51,366).
CoL index: 96.506 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$15.91/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.59/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.83/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+58.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Asheville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.91/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.87/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.43/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.11/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.58/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.38/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.59/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.83/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.14/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Asheville grew 42.0% from $15.91/hr (2019) to $22.59/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.14/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 Asheville 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 Asheville
Considering the unique earning dynamics in Asheville, part-time veterinary technologists and technicians often weigh their reduced income against the benefits of full-time roles. While the full-time income potential can appear more favorable, part-time employees can still derive satisfaction from flexible scheduling. Per diem opportunities frequently arise in veterinary practices where professionals can earn between $25 to $40 per hour. Specialty-certified technicians (VTS) may command $35 to $55 per hour in niche roles, particularly in hospitals with urgent needs for weekend or overnight coverage, which can offer rates from $30 to $50 per hour in high-demand situations. Different types of employers present varied hourly pay, from corporate chain clinics to academic institutions, each influencing worker preferences based on factors such as health insurance versus potential higher wages. Effective negotiation strategies for veterinary technologists and technicians seeking better hourly rates could hinge on articulating their skills and aligning their needs with the employer’s compensation structure, especially in a market where veterinary workforce shortages have led to marked increases in pay.
More salary data for Asheville, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Asheville in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinary technologists and technicians make in Asheville?
Are veterinary technologists and technicians in Asheville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinary technologist and technician make per year in Asheville?
Do veterinary technologists and technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Asheville?
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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 Asheville. 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