Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Portland, OR: $29.57 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in Portland, OR runs $29.57 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,507 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against Portland's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.4, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $28.05 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,905 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, veterinary technologists and technicians in Portland, Oregon, are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $29.57, which is significantly higher than the national median of $24.03. This rate translates to competitive pay for those entering the field, especially in various settings such as general practice clinics, specialty hospitals, university clinics, zoos, and pharmaceutical research facilities. The hourly pay range for these professionals extends from $23.58 for entry-level positions to a high of $39.20 for experienced technicians and specialists. Given the workforce shortage in the veterinary sector and rising demand, these figures reflect the increasing value of skilled veterinary technologists and technicians in the local market.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.58 | $188.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.38 | $203.07 |
| Median (P50) | $29.57 | $236.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.19 | $257.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.20 | $313.63 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Portland
Based on $29.57/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.57/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Portland, OR can expect to earn approximately $61,509 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,486. With a cost-of-living index of 105.42 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Portland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Portland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,182.87 | $5,126 | $61,509 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $709.72 | $3,075 | $36,905 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $473.15 | $2,050 | $24,604 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (Portland) | $29.57 |
| 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 Portland, OR earn a median of $61,507 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.05% higher than the national median of $49,986 and 10.00% above the Oregon state average of $55,915.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.57/hr = $36,905/year (purchasing power: $35,008).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,509/year (purchasing power: $58,346).
CoL index: 105.421 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$17.52/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.03/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.57/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+78.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Portland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.52/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.58/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.36/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.30/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.90/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.79/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.03/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.57/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.20/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Portland grew 60.0% from $17.52/hr (2019) to $28.03/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.20/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 Portland 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 Portland
For part-time workers, committing to a three-day workweek—24 hours—can yield an annual income of approximately $46,166, which positions them favorably within the professional landscape, though full-time employees stand to earn significantly more. Per-diem work opportunities are prevalent in Portland, where veterinary technologists can bill anywhere from $25 to $40 per hour, with those holding VTS specialty credentials commanding rates of $35 to $55. Facilities in need of weekend or overnight emergency coverage may offer about $30 to $50 per hour, especially in urgent care settings. Employers range from corporate chains, which may offer lower hourly rates in exchange for stable benefits, to independent practices, where specialists can negotiate higher wages. When entering the workforce, candidates, including those with NAVTA and AVMA CVTEA credentials, should leverage their training and consider the trade-offs between hourly compensation and benefits packages to maximize their earning potential in Portland’s dynamic veterinary market.
More salary data for Portland, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Portland in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinary technologists and technicians make in Portland?
Are veterinary technologists and technicians in Portland paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinary technologist and technician make per year in Portland?
Do veterinary technologists and technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Portland?
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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 Portland. 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