Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Burlington, NC: $21.63 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in Burlington, NC runs $21.63 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $44,985 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against Burlington's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.2, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $23.21 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $26,991 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Burlington, North Carolina, the veterinary technologist and technician hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $21.63 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $24.03. This pay rate is significant for part-time workers, such as those employed three days a week, who can expect to earn around $1,038 on average per week based on a typical schedule. Per-diem roles offer flexibility, often ranging from $25 to $40 an hour, with various work settings like general practice treatment areas, specialty hospitals, and research facilities. The hourly wage spans from $18.06 at the lower end, reached by entry-level positions, to $29.55 at the higher end for experienced professionals in Burlington, illustrating a diverse earning potential in the field according to the official BLS data sourced from 2025.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.06 | $144.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.71 | $149.64 |
| Median (P50) | $21.63 | $173.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.43 | $219.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.55 | $236.40 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Burlington
Based on $21.63/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $21.63/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Burlington, NC can expect to earn approximately $44,985 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $25,953. With a cost-of-living index of 93.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Burlington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Burlington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $865.10 | $3,749 | $44,985 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $519.06 | $2,249 | $26,991 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $346.04 | $1,500 | $17,994 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (Burlington) | $21.63 |
| 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 Burlington, NC earn a median of $44,985 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.00% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 9.30% below the North Carolina state average of $49,598.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $21.63/hr = $26,991/year (purchasing power: $28,962).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $44,985/year (purchasing power: $48,269).
CoL index: 93.196 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$14.72/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$20.50/hr
2026 Current Est.
$21.63/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+55.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.72/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.59/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.26/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.96/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.42/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.81/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $20.50/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $21.63/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $22.82/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Burlington grew 39.3% from $14.72/hr (2019) to $20.50/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $22.82/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 Burlington 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 Burlington
Examining further into the earning potential, veterinary technologists and technicians working part-time can effectively earn around $53,424 annually when working a 30-hour week, which is a solid income compared to full-time earnings. Per-diem and agency workers can see compensation that often surpasses this, especially in markets with staffing shortages where weekend or overnight shifts may command $30 to $50 an hour. Employers also influence pay rates significantly; while corporate chain hospitals like VCA and BluePearl may offer competitive salaries, specialty hospitals and university clinics might provide better benefits that justify accepting a lower hourly rate. In this context, negotiating effectively for those higher hourly wages is crucial. Focus on your credentials, experience, and the growing demand for qualified personnel in Burlington, as understanding the local job market dynamics can lead to better compensation outcomes.
More salary data for Burlington, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Burlington in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinary technologists and technicians make in Burlington?
Are veterinary technologists and technicians in Burlington paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinary technologist and technician make per year in Burlington?
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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 Burlington. 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