Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in New Bern, NC: $23.37 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in New Bern, NC runs $23.37 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,617 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against New Bern's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.97 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,164 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Veterinary technologists and technicians in New Bern, North Carolina, have a projected hourly median pay of $23.37 in 2026, slightly below the national median rate of $24.03. This figure reflects the profession’s earning potential within various settings, such as general practice treatment areas, specialty hospital ICUs, and university clinics. Workers in this field can expect to see hourly wages ranging from $17.71 for entry-level positions to as high as $29.90 for more experienced professionals. This broad spectrum allows for flexible financial planning, especially for part-time employees or those seeking per-diem roles, who may work in diverse environments that include zoos, aquariums, or pharmaceutical research facilities.
About the New Bern 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) | $17.71 | $141.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.98 | $151.84 |
| Median (P50) | $23.37 | $186.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.90 | $223.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.90 | $239.19 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in New Bern
Based on $23.37/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.37/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in New Bern, NC can expect to earn approximately $48,606 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,042. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in New Bern.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in New Bern
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $934.73 | $4,050 | $48,606 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $560.84 | $2,430 | $29,164 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $373.89 | $1,620 | $19,442 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (New Bern) | $23.37 |
| 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 New Bern, NC earn a median of $48,617 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.74% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 1.90% below the North Carolina state average of $49,558.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.37/hr = $29,164/year (purchasing power: $31,158).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,606/year (purchasing power: $51,929).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$15.42/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.15/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.37/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+59.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in New Bern (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.42/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.95/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $16.75/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.34/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.45/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $15.89/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.15/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.37/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.65/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in New Bern grew 43.6% from $15.42/hr (2019) to $22.15/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.65/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 New Bern 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 New Bern
For veterinary technologists and technicians considering part-time work, a typical 24-hour workweek could yield approximately $26,292 annually, which is notably less than a full-time salary but may fit those prioritizing work-life balance. Per-diem and agency workers often find rates fluctuating between $25 and $40 per hour, particularly at specialty facilities where Veterinary Technician Specialists (VTS) may command $35 to $55 per hour. In New Bern, the pay may vary significantly depending on the employer type; corporate chain hospitals and specialty referral centers typically offer competitive rates, whereas general practices might provide lower pay combined with benefits like health insurance. Ultimately, veterinary technologists and technicians in the area need to weigh immediate financial incentives against benefits and job stability when seeking employment or negotiating pay.
More salary data for New Bern, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in New Bern in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinary technologists and technicians make in New Bern?
Are veterinary technologists and technicians in New Bern paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinary technologist and technician make per year in New Bern?
Do veterinary technologists and technicians earn more per hour working part-time in New Bern?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in North Carolina
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 New Bern. 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 New Bern 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