Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Winston, NC: $23.86 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in Winston, NC runs $23.86 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $49,638 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against Winston's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.0, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.93 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,782 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinary technologists and technicians in Winston, North Carolina, can expect a median hourly pay of $23.86 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $24.03. This rate offers flexibility for part-time and per-diem workers, particularly in varied settings—including general practice clinics, specialty hospitals with critical care services, university teaching hospitals, and even zoos or aquariums. The hourly pay can range from $18.16 for entry-level positions to $29.51 for the most experienced professionals, reflecting the growing demand for skilled veterinary support staff in Winston. Official BLS hourly data highlights not just the competitive nature of pay in this field, but also the diverse opportunities for those willing to expand their skill set or pursue specialty certification.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.16 | $145.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.11 | $152.85 |
| Median (P50) | $23.86 | $190.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $25.33 | $202.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.51 | $236.07 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Winston
Based on $23.86/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.86/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Winston, NC can expect to earn approximately $49,637 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,637. With a cost-of-living index of 92.04 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Winston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Winston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $954.56 | $4,136 | $49,637 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $572.74 | $2,482 | $29,782 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $381.83 | $1,655 | $19,855 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (Winston) | $23.86 |
| 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 Winston, NC earn a median of $49,638 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.70% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 0.10% above the North Carolina state average of $49,588.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.86/hr = $29,782/year (purchasing power: $32,357).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $49,637/year (purchasing power: $53,928).
CoL index: 92.043 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$16.71/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.62/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.86/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+50.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Winston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.71/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.96/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.48/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.99/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $19.86/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.99/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.62/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.86/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.18/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Winston grew 35.4% from $16.71/hr (2019) to $22.62/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.18/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 Winston 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 Winston
Analyzing the earning potential for veterinary technologists and technicians reveals a nuanced landscape, especially for part-time workers. For those committed to a typical schedule of three days a week or around 24 hours, annual earnings can vary significantly compared to full-time roles. Per-diem workers in Winston benefit from billing rates ranging between $25 and $40 per hour, with VTS-credentialed specialty technicians earning between $35 and $55 hourly. Emergency and overnight shifts can garner rates of $30 to $50, particularly in communities facing staffing shortages. Different employment types also influence hourly wages; general practice clinics might offer lower pay compared to the corporate chains or specialty hospitals. Ultimately, some professionals may willingly accept lower hourly rates in exchange for health benefits, whereas others may prefer the higher rates associated with per-diem positions without perks. Those negotiating hourly pay should emphasize their skills and willingness to work flexible hours to leverage better rates in this competitive field.
More salary data for Winston, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Winston. 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