Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Providence, RI: $23.41 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in Providence, RI runs $23.41 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,699 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against Providence's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.8, 2% above national), each hour of work buys what $23.00 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,216 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Providence, Rhode Island, veterinary technologists and technicians can expect to earn a median hourly pay of $23.41, which is slightly below the national hourly median of $24.03. This pay scale reflects the profession's complexities, especially for part-time or per-diem workers who may be employed in settings such as general practice treatment areas, specialty hospital ICUs, university veterinary clinics, aquariums, and pharmaceutical research units. Given the hourly range of $19.05 for entry-level positions to $32.25 for top earners, professionals can find attractive opportunities while balancing work across multiple locations, including local clinics and specialty hospitals. These figures come from the 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, highlighting the evolving pay dynamics in the region.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.05 | $152.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.36 | $154.87 |
| Median (P50) | $23.41 | $187.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.65 | $245.18 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $32.25 | $258.01 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Providence
Based on $23.41/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.41/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Providence, RI can expect to earn approximately $48,694 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,093. With a cost-of-living index of 101.77 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Providence.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Providence
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $936.42 | $4,058 | $48,694 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $561.85 | $2,435 | $29,216 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $374.57 | $1,623 | $19,477 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (Providence) | $23.41 |
| 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 Providence, RI earn a median of $48,699 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.57% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 3.10% below the Rhode Island state average of $50,257.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.41/hr = $29,216/year (purchasing power: $28,707).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,694/year (purchasing power: $47,845).
CoL index: 101.773 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$17.96/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.19/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.41/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+37.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Providence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.96/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.56/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.88/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.38/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.08/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.00/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.19/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.41/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.70/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Providence grew 23.6% from $17.96/hr (2019) to $22.19/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.70/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 Providence 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 Providence
For those considering part-time work, such as a 3-day/week schedule totaling 24 hours, the annual take-home can differ significantly compared to full-time positions. Per-diem veterinary technologists and technicians often command hourly rates ranging from $25 to $40, while VTS-certified specialty technicians might earn between $35 and $55 per hour, especially in high-demand areas like emergency and critical care coverage at local hospitals. In Providence, the type of employer can play a crucial role in determining pay levels; corporate veterinary hospital chains, specialty referral hospitals, and university teaching facilities may offer differing hourly rates. While higher hourly wages might appeal to some, the balance of benefits versus pay often leads professionals to consider positions with health insurance and other perks. Thus, negotiating for competitive hourly rates in Providence’s market is vital for veterinary technologists, emphasizing research on employer offerings and detailing one’s experience during discussions.
More salary data for Providence, RI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Providence in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinary technologists and technicians make in Providence?
Are veterinary technologists and technicians in Providence paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinary technologist and technician make per year in Providence?
Do veterinary technologists and technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Providence?
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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 Providence. 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