Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Matthews, NC: $23.56 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in Matthews, NC runs $23.56 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $49,005 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against Matthews's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.17 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,401 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Matthews, North Carolina, the projected median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians is $23.56, which is slightly lower than the national median of $24.03. This rate provides a solid foundation for both full-time and part-time employees within various settings, including general practice clinics, specialty hospitals, and even university teaching hospitals. With an hourly range spanning from $18.06 at the 10th percentile to $29.67 at the 90th percentile, workers in Matthews have the opportunity to earn competitive wages based on their experience and area of expertise. For those working part-time, especially in configurations like a three-day workweek, this hourly pay translates to valuable take-home earnings, particularly in a market with rising demands for skilled veterinary technicians.
About the Matthews Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($36,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.06 | $144.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.36 | $154.87 |
| Median (P50) | $23.56 | $188.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.85 | $222.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.67 | $237.33 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Matthews
Based on $23.56/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.56/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Matthews, NC can expect to earn approximately $49,001 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,270. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Matthews.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Matthews
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $942.33 | $4,083 | $49,001 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $565.40 | $2,450 | $29,401 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $376.93 | $1,633 | $19,600 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (Matthews) | $23.56 |
| 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 Matthews, NC earn a median of $49,005 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.96% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 1.10% below the North Carolina state average of $49,550.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.56/hr = $29,401/year (purchasing power: $31,411).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $49,001/year (purchasing power: $52,351).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$16.65/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.33/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.56/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Matthews (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.65/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.09/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.37/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.02/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.61/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $16.01/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.33/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.56/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.85/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Matthews grew 34.1% from $16.65/hr (2019) to $22.33/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.85/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 Matthews 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 Matthews
When considering per-diem opportunities, the earning potential shifts significantly. Many veterinary technologists and technicians are finding work through agencies, which often leads to per diem rates between $25 and $40 per hour. Specialty credential holders, such as those with the Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) designation, frequently command between $35 and $55 per hour, especially in high-demand areas like emergency and critical care. Hospital settings, particularly those that offer overnight and weekend shifts, also report increased hourly rates of $30 to $50 due to staffing shortages. The variation in hourly rates can often depend on the type of employer in Matthews, with corporate chain hospitals and specialty referral facilities typically offering different compensation structures compared to general practice clinics. For many veterinary technologists and technicians, choosing employers that provide benefits can mean accepting lower hourly pay, while those prioritizing higher pay may opt for positions that do not include health insurance. Effective negotiation tactics that reflect the current market trends can help professionals in Matthews advocate for better pay, particularly as the workforce shortage continues to influence compensation rates in the field.
More salary data for Matthews, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Matthews in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinary technologists and technicians make in Matthews?
Are veterinary technologists and technicians in Matthews paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinary technologist and technician make per year in Matthews?
Do veterinary technologists and technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Matthews?
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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 Matthews. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Matthews is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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