Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Wilmington, NC: $24.15 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in Wilmington, NC runs $24.15 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $50,239 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against Wilmington's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.4, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.05 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,138 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Wilmington, North Carolina, offers veterinary technologists and technicians a median hourly rate of $24.15, which is slightly above the national median of $24.03. For those working part-time, such as a typical 3-day workweek, this hourly wage translates to a decent income while providing flexibility in managing personal responsibilities. On an annualized basis, the hourly pay allows these professionals to work in various environments, including general practice, specialty hospitals, and even pharmaceutical research labs. In Wilmington, hourly wages for veterinary technologists and technicians vary, starting at $18.40 for entry-level positions and reaching up to $28.41 for top earners, highlighting significant growth potential and varied opportunities within the field, according to data based on 2025 BLS OEWS figures, projected to 2026.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.40 | $147.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.63 | $165.00 |
| Median (P50) | $24.15 | $193.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.06 | $224.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $28.41 | $227.29 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wilmington
Based on $24.15/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.15/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wilmington, NC can expect to earn approximately $50,230 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,979. With a cost-of-living index of 96.42 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wilmington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wilmington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $965.96 | $4,186 | $50,230 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $579.57 | $2,511 | $30,138 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $386.38 | $1,674 | $20,092 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (Wilmington) | $24.15 |
| 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 Wilmington, NC earn a median of $50,239 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.51% higher than the national median of $49,986 and 1.30% above the North Carolina state average of $49,594.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.15/hr = $30,138/year (purchasing power: $31,256).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $50,230/year (purchasing power: $52,094).
CoL index: 96.422 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$14.95/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.89/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.15/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+70.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Wilmington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.95/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.33/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.80/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.47/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.70/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.15/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.89/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.15/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.48/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Wilmington grew 53.1% from $14.95/hr (2019) to $22.89/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.48/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 Wilmington 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 Wilmington
Shifting focus to part-time and per-diem work, a veterinary technologist and technician in Wilmington can take home considerably less than full-time staff if they're only working a three-day week. For instance, annual earnings for part-time work could amount to around $30,000, depending on hours worked, which starkly contrasts with full-time salaries. Per-diem positions offer an intriguing alternative, commonly providing compensation ranging from $25 to $40 per hour, with specialty-credentialed technicians earning between $35 and $55 per hour. Hospitals facing staffing shortages often pay a premium for weekend and overnight shifts, which can climb to between $30 and $50 per hour. In Wilmington, different employer types, such as corporate chains and specialty referral hospitals, often have diverse pay scales, and while some settings might pay slightly lower wages, they often provide comprehensive health benefits. It's important for veterinary technologists and technicians to evaluate the trade-offs of hourly pay versus benefits and negotiate accordingly, particularly given the competitive nature of the job market in NC.
More salary data for Wilmington, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Wilmington in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinary technologists and technicians make in Wilmington?
Are veterinary technologists and technicians in Wilmington paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinary technologist and technician make per year in Wilmington?
Do veterinary technologists and technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Wilmington?
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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 Wilmington. 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, 5-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