Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Raleigh, NC: $25.48 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in Raleigh, NC runs $25.48 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $53,003 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against Raleigh's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.2, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.96 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,797 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Raleigh, North Carolina, veterinary technologists and technicians earn a median hourly rate of $25.48, which is notably higher than the national median of $24.03. This hourly pay effectively reflects the demand for skilled professionals in a variety of settings, including general practice treatment areas, specialty hospital ICUs, university clinics, and even pharmaceutical research facilities. With an hourly range from $18.82 at the entry level to $30.34 for top earners, those working part-time (about three days a week) or as per-diem professionals can expect to see versatile earning potential depending on the specific work environment and their qualifications. Utilizing data based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, it's apparent that Raleigh's hourly compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians aligns favorably with ongoing workforce trends in the veterinary field.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.82 | $150.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.31 | $162.47 |
| Median (P50) | $25.48 | $203.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $26.48 | $211.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $30.34 | $242.73 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Raleigh
Based on $25.48/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.48/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Raleigh, NC can expect to earn approximately $52,995 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,574. With a cost-of-living index of 98.16 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Raleigh.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Raleigh
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,019.13 | $4,416 | $52,995 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $611.48 | $2,650 | $31,797 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $407.65 | $1,766 | $21,198 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (Raleigh) | $25.48 |
| 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 Raleigh, NC earn a median of $53,003 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.04% higher than the national median of $49,986 and 6.90% above the North Carolina state average of $49,582.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.48/hr = $31,797/year (purchasing power: $32,394).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $52,995/year (purchasing power: $53,990).
CoL index: 98.157 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.31/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.15/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.48/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+55.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Raleigh (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.31/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.12/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.11/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.19/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.39/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.61/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.15/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.48/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.88/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Raleigh grew 39.5% from $17.31/hr (2019) to $24.15/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.88/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 Raleigh 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 Raleigh
Examining the potential for part-time work reveals that a veterinary technologist and technician working 24 hours a week might take home a substantial income annually, but this can differ significantly from a full-time position. Per-diem positions often offer flexibility and higher hourly fees, somewhere between $25 and $40 for standard roles, with specialized technicians, particularly those holding VTS credentials, commanding even higher rates of $35 to $55 per hour. Weekend or overnight emergency coverage can net $30 to $50 per hour, particularly in high-need markets. Additionally, the type of employer influences the hourly rate, with variations observed among general practice clinics, corporate chain hospitals like VCA and BluePearl, and specialty hospitals. Professionals in Raleigh occasionally choose to accept lower hourly wages in exchange for benefits, such as health insurance. When negotiating salary as an hourly worker in this market, it’s wise to consider both immediate pay and long-term health benefits to find a balance that meets personal and professional needs.
More salary data for Raleigh, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Raleigh in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinary technologists and technicians make in Raleigh?
Are veterinary technologists and technicians in Raleigh paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinary technologist and technician make per year in Raleigh?
Do veterinary technologists and technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Raleigh?
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 Raleigh. 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