Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Pittsburgh, PA: $23.04 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in Pittsburgh, PA runs $23.04 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $47,918 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against Pittsburgh's regional price level (BEA RPP 94.7, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.34 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,755 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
For veterinary technologists and technicians in Pittsburgh, the projected median hourly pay for 2026 stands at $23.04, slightly below the national median of $24.03 per hour. This hourly wage reflects the variety of employment settings available, ranging from general practice treatment areas to specialty hospitals and university clinics. Part-time workers, who often choose to work roughly three days a week, can expect to earn an equivalent of $47,918 annually if they maintain a consistent work schedule. Entry-level positions typically start at around $18.72 per hour, while experienced professionals may command as much as $29.40 as they progress in their careers. This data, sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) estimates based on 2025 BLS data, provides valuable insight into the financial aspects of working in the veterinary field in Pittsburgh.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.72 | $149.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.21 | $153.69 |
| Median (P50) | $23.04 | $184.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $25.16 | $201.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.40 | $235.22 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Pittsburgh
Based on $23.04/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.04/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Pittsburgh, PA can expect to earn approximately $47,926 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,649. With a cost-of-living index of 94.67 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Pittsburgh.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Pittsburgh
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $921.65 | $3,994 | $47,926 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $552.99 | $2,396 | $28,755 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $368.66 | $1,598 | $19,170 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (Pittsburgh) | $23.04 |
| 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 Pittsburgh, PA earn a median of $47,918 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.14% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 0.90% above the Pennsylvania state average of $47,491.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.04/hr = $28,755/year (purchasing power: $30,374).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $47,926/year (purchasing power: $50,623).
CoL index: 94.671 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$15.83/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.84/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.04/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+53.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Pittsburgh (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.83/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.25/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.80/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.52/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $19.06/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.40/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.84/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.04/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.31/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Pittsburgh grew 38.0% from $15.83/hr (2019) to $21.84/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.31/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 Pittsburgh 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 Pittsburgh
Part-time veterinary technologists and technicians in Pittsburgh have the potential to take home approximately $35,132 annually while working a 24-hour week, which is considerably less than full-time counterparts. For those seeking flexibility in their schedules, per diem and agency work are viable options, allowing for earnings that often exceed the standard hourly rates. Per diem veterinary technologist and technician pay in Pittsburgh commonly ranges from $25 to $40 per hour, with VTS-credentialed specialists potentially earning between $35 and $55. Additionally, coverage shifts during high-demand times, such as weekends or overnight emergencies, may lead to hourly rates exceeding $30 or even $50. Employers from general practice clinics to specialty hospitals vary in compensation structures, and while some positions offer lower hourly rates, they also provide benefits such as health insurance that higher-paying roles without benefits do not. Negotiating for hourly work in Pittsburgh requires an awareness of these disparities, as well as an understanding of the demand for skilled technicians amidst an acute workforce shortage in the veterinary field.
More salary data for Pittsburgh, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Pittsburgh in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinary technologists and technicians make in Pittsburgh?
Are veterinary technologists and technicians in Pittsburgh paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinary technologist and technician make per year in Pittsburgh?
Do veterinary technologists and technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Pittsburgh?
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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 Pittsburgh. 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