Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Pawtucket, RI: $24.13 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in Pawtucket, RI runs $24.13 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $50,181 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against Pawtucket's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.5, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $24.01 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,112 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Pawtucket, Rhode Island, the projected median hourly pay for veterinary technologists and technicians in 2026 is $24.13, slightly above the national median of $24.03. For part-time workers, such as those employed three days a week, this means an estimated weekly income of around $481. This level of compensation applies across various veterinary settings including general practice clinics, specialty hospitals, and even university teaching hospitals. Entry-level technicians can expect to earn approximately $17.65 per hour, while seasoned professionals at the higher end of the scale may earn up to $33.25 per hour. These hourly rates are derived from annual salary estimates, reflecting the growing recognition of the value of veterinary support staff in the face of a workforce shortage.
About the Pawtucket 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) | $17.65 | $141.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.23 | $153.86 |
| Median (P50) | $24.13 | $193.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.19 | $233.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $33.25 | $266.03 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Pawtucket
Based on $24.13/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.13/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Pawtucket, RI can expect to earn approximately $50,186 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,953. With a cost-of-living index of 100.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Pawtucket.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Pawtucket
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $965.11 | $4,182 | $50,186 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $579.07 | $2,509 | $30,112 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $386.05 | $1,673 | $20,074 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (Pawtucket) | $24.13 |
| 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 Pawtucket, RI earn a median of $50,181 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.39% higher than the national median of $49,986 and 0.10% below the Rhode Island state average of $50,231.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.13/hr = $30,112/year (purchasing power: $29,962).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $50,186/year (purchasing power: $49,936).
CoL index: 100.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$17.05/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.87/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.13/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Pawtucket (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.05/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.50/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.79/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.46/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.11/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.27/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.87/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.13/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.45/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Pawtucket grew 34.1% from $17.05/hr (2019) to $22.87/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.45/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 Pawtucket 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 Pawtucket
Looking at the potential earnings of veterinary technologists and technicians working part-time, if one were to work 24 hours a week, they would take home around $24,000 annually. In contrast, per diem workers, who often operate in various settings, typically command higher rates, charging between $25 and $40 per hour for general duties, while those holding specialty credentials like VTS can see rates climb to $35-$55 per hour. Rates can surge to between $30 and $50 for emergency and overnight shifts due to staffing shortages. Employment type significantly affects pay rates as corporate chain hospitals and specialty centers may offer different scales compared to general practices, sometimes sacrificing hourly earnings for benefits. Contract negotiation strategies become crucial in this environment; candidates should be prepared to discuss these variations, emphasizing their credentials and experience to leverage the best pay within Pawtucket’s evolving veterinary market.
More salary data for Pawtucket, RI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Pawtucket in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinary technologists and technicians make in Pawtucket?
Are veterinary technologists and technicians in Pawtucket paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinary technologist and technician make per year in Pawtucket?
Do veterinary technologists and technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Pawtucket?
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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 Pawtucket. 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 Pawtucket 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