Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Arecibo, PR: $12.59 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in Arecibo, PR runs $12.59 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $26,175 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against Puerto Rico's regional price level (BEA RPP 75.0, 25% below national), each hour of work buys what $16.78 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $15,708 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Arecibo, veterinary technologists and technicians earn a median hourly rate of $12.59, which is significantly lower than the national hourly median of $24.03. This disparity highlights the unique economic landscape of the region, where opportunities in veterinary medicine primarily span settings such as general practice clinics, specialty hospitals, and university teaching facilities. For part-time workers employed three days a week, this wage structure may yield weekly earnings that reflect their reduced hours, making it essential for them to navigate budget constraints effectively. New entrants to the field might start at $11.08 per hour, while top earners can command salaries around $22.46 per hour, indicating that there is potential for growth within the profession based on experience and specialization, as indicated by the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) hourly data.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $11.08 | $88.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $12.59 | $100.69 |
| Median (P50) | $12.59 | $100.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $13.89 | $111.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $22.46 | $179.69 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Arecibo
Based on $12.59/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $12.59/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Arecibo, PR can expect to earn approximately $26,179 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $15,103.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Arecibo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $503.45 | $2,182 | $26,179 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $302.07 | $1,309 | $15,708 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $201.38 | $873 | $10,472 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (Arecibo) | $12.59 |
| 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 Arecibo, PR earn a median of $26,175 per year (2026 est.), which is 47.64% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 30.20% below the Puerto Rico state average of $37,499.
2019 BLS Actual
$8.89/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$11.93/hr
2026 Current Est.
$12.59/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Arecibo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $8.89/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $9.13/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $9.28/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $9.63/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $11.01/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $11.49/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $11.93/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $12.59/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $13.28/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Arecibo grew 34.1% from $8.89/hr (2019) to $11.93/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $13.28/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 Arecibo 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 Arecibo
Looking deeper into the financial aspects, those working part-time schedules as a veterinary technologist and technician in Arecibo may see an annual salary much less than their full-time counterparts. For a technician working 24 hours a week, their annual earnings could approximate just under the threshold necessary for comprehensive health benefits, making employment choices critical. Per-diem or agency workers often experience a more lucrative pay scale, typically billing between $25 to $40 per hour, with specialty credentialing increasing the potential to earn $35 to $55 hourly. Often, weekend and overnight shifts in emergency and critical care settings fetch higher hourly rates due to staffing shortages, appealing to many in the field. Moreover, various employer types, such as corporate chains, nonprofit organizations, and educational institutions, may offer differing pay structures. While some technicians may accept lower hourly wages in exchange for job security and benefits, others may prefer the flexibility of higher-paying per diem positions despite the lack of benefits. Negotiation strategies often need to consider these variables, as technicians are increasingly empowered to advocate for fair compensation amidst the ongoing workforce shortage.
More salary data for Arecibo, PR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Arecibo in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinary technologists and technicians make in Arecibo?
Are veterinary technologists and technicians in Arecibo paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinary technologist and technician make per year in Arecibo?
Do veterinary technologists and technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Arecibo?
Related Pages
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Puerto Rico
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 Arecibo. 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, 2-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