Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Bristol, RI: $22.86 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in Bristol, RI runs $22.86 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $47,556 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against Bristol's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.5, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $22.75 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,532 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, veterinary technologists and technicians in Bristol, Rhode Island, can expect a median hourly wage of $22.86, slightly below the national median of $24.03 per hour. This translates to a significant earning potential for those working part-time or per-diem in various settings, including general practice clinics, specialty hospital ICUs, university veterinary teaching hospitals, and animal medical units in zoos or aquariums. Entry-level technicians may start at an hourly rate of around $17.72, while those at the top of the pay scale can earn up to $29.49. These figures are derived from annual salary estimates, providing a broad understanding of the income landscape for individuals within this profession in Bristol.
About the Bristol Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($42,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.72 | $141.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.75 | $149.98 |
| Median (P50) | $22.86 | $182.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $26.32 | $210.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.49 | $235.90 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bristol
Based on $22.86/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.86/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bristol, RI can expect to earn approximately $47,553 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,434. With a cost-of-living index of 100.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Bristol.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bristol
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $914.47 | $3,963 | $47,553 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $548.68 | $2,378 | $28,532 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $365.79 | $1,585 | $19,021 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (Bristol) | $22.86 |
| 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 Bristol, RI earn a median of $47,556 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.86% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 5.30% below the Rhode Island state average of $50,218.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.86/hr = $28,532/year (purchasing power: $28,390).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $47,553/year (purchasing power: $47,316).
CoL index: 100.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$16.15/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.67/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.86/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Bristol (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.15/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.58/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $16.85/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.49/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.01/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.21/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.67/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.86/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.12/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Bristol grew 34.1% from $16.15/hr (2019) to $21.67/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.12/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 Bristol 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 Bristol
Given the projected hourly pay for veterinary technologists and technicians, those who work part-time, typically around three days a week, will earn significantly less annually than their full-time counterparts, limiting their overall take-home pay. Per-diem workers can see higher hourly rates, with standard billing between $25 and $40 per hour, especially for specialized duties. For example, VTS-credentialed technicians may command hourly earnings of $35 to $55, particularly for critical roles in specialty hospitals, where weekend or overnight shifts might pay $30 to $50. With varying rates across employer types—including corporate veterinary chains, specialty referral hospitals, and research facilities—workers in Bristol face a decision regarding hourly pay versus benefits. Negotiating for higher hourly earnings can be beneficial, but it is essential to weigh the trade-offs in benefits typically offered by full-time positions against the allure of increased pay without benefits.
More salary data for Bristol, RI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Bristol in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinary technologists and technicians make in Bristol?
Are veterinary technologists and technicians in Bristol paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinary technologist and technician make per year in Bristol?
Do veterinary technologists and technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Bristol?
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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 Bristol. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Bristol is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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