Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Florence, SC: $18.60 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in Florence, SC runs $18.60 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $38,676 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against Florence's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.8, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.43 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $23,212 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Florence, South Carolina, the veterinary technologist and technician hourly pay is projected at $18.60 in 2026, which is considerably lower than the national median of $24.03. This wage reflects the regional economic conditions and may influence part-time and per-diem employment opportunities. For example, those working part-time—say three days a week—can expect to earn around $18,760 annually, while per-diem workers often have the ability to pick up shifts across various settings, including general practice treatment areas, specialty hospitals, and research facilities. Entry-level technicians might start at $14.90, with experienced professionals earning up to $23.53 per hour at the top of the pay scale, as documented by official BLS data.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $14.90 | $119.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.63 | $141.03 |
| Median (P50) | $18.60 | $148.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $19.25 | $154.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $23.53 | $188.21 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Florence
Based on $18.60/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $18.60/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Florence, SC can expect to earn approximately $38,687 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $22,320. With a cost-of-living index of 86.77 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Florence.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Florence
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $743.99 | $3,224 | $38,687 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $446.39 | $1,934 | $23,212 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $297.59 | $1,290 | $15,475 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (Florence) | $18.60 |
| 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 Florence, SC earn a median of $38,676 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.63% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 3.80% below the South Carolina state average of $40,204.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $18.60/hr = $23,212/year (purchasing power: $26,750).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $38,687/year (purchasing power: $44,584).
CoL index: 86.774 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$13.14/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$17.63/hr
2026 Current Est.
$18.60/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Florence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $13.14/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $13.49/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $13.71/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $14.78/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $16.36/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $16.68/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $17.63/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $18.60/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $19.62/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Florence grew 34.1% from $13.14/hr (2019) to $17.63/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $19.62/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 Florence 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 Florence
Three days a week, or 24 hours, translates into predictable earnings for part-time veterinary technologists and technicians. In Florence, this totals about $18,760 annually, which can be significantly less than what full-time equivalent employees earn. In contrast, per-diem workers can benefit from higher hourly pay rates, often billing at $25 to $40 per hour, and those with VTS credentials can command even more, between $35 and $55 hourly. Additionally, specialized roles in emergency care or corporate entities might pay significantly more during night shifts or weekends. When considering job offers, many professionals weigh the trade-off between lower hourly rates with health benefits versus higher pay rates without such perks. For those negotiating their pay, understanding the difference between corporate chain hospitals and independent practices can also significantly impact salary discussions in this fast-evolving veterinary profession in SC.
More salary data for Florence, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Florence in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinary technologists and technicians make in Florence?
Are veterinary technologists and technicians in Florence paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinary technologist and technician make per year in Florence?
Do veterinary technologists and technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Florence?
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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 Florence. 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, 4-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