Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Bend, OR: $27.44 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in Bend, OR runs $27.44 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $57,086 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against Bend's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.6, 4% above national), each hour of work buys what $26.49 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,246 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinary technologists and technicians in Bend, Oregon, are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $27.44 in 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $24.03. This competitive hourly pay can be particularly attractive for part-time and per-diem workers, who often find employment in various settings such as general practice treatment areas, specialty hospital ICU/ECC wards, university teaching hospitals, and even pharmaceutical research animal facilities. With the hourly range stretching from $23.23 for entry-level positions to $37.28 for experienced professionals, these figures reflect the ongoing demand for skilled veterinary support in Bend. The official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data highlights the importance of the veterinary workforce, which is essential for providing quality animal care across the region.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.23 | $185.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.20 | $201.63 |
| Median (P50) | $27.44 | $219.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.71 | $245.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.28 | $298.27 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bend
Based on $27.44/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.44/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bend, OR can expect to earn approximately $57,076 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,929. With a cost-of-living index of 103.61 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Bend.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bend
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,097.62 | $4,756 | $57,076 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $658.57 | $2,854 | $34,246 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $439.05 | $1,903 | $22,831 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (Bend) | $27.44 |
| 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 Bend, OR earn a median of $57,086 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.20% higher than the national median of $49,986 and 2.10% above the Oregon state average of $55,912.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.44/hr = $34,246/year (purchasing power: $33,054).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $57,076/year (purchasing power: $55,089).
CoL index: 103.607 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$16.01/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.01/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.44/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+80.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Bend (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.01/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.38/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.87/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.48/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.48/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.79/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.01/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.44/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.95/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Bend grew 62.5% from $16.01/hr (2019) to $26.01/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.95/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 Bend 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 Bend
When considering part-time work, a veterinary technologist or technician in Bend typically working three days a week (24 hours) can expect to take home approximately $41,728 annually, significantly less than full-time counterparts but still offers a solid earning potential. The per-diem veterinary technologist and technician pay in Bend varies widely, with standard rates typically ranging from $25 to $40 per hour, while Veterinary Technician Specialists (VTS) command higher rates, often earning between $35 and $55 per hour due to their advanced training and credentials. Those working in specialty referral hospitals or filling in during weekends and overnight shifts at understaffed facilities can see rates between $30 and $50 per hour. Additionally, while some practitioners may accept lower hourly rates in exchange for health insurance benefits at corporate chain hospitals, others prioritize higher hourly wages with the trade-off of not receiving benefits. Negotiating pay in Bend can revolve around emphasizing skills, certifications, and availability, particularly given the acute workforce shortage in veterinary medicine, which has resulted in a notable pay increase across many areas between 2020-2024.
More salary data for Bend, OR:
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 Bend. 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