Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Hilton Head Island, SC: $19.33 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in Hilton Head Island, SC runs $19.33 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $40,196 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against Hilton Head Island's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.0, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $19.72 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $24,121 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinary technologist and technician hourly pay in Hilton Head Island is projected to be $19.33 in 2026, which falls below the national hourly median of $24.03. This compensation level significantly impacts part-time workers, especially those working three days a week in various veterinary settings like general practice clinics, specialty hospitals, and research facilities. For individuals choosing per-diem positions, the flexibility may offset the lower average pay; however, the entry-level workers will earn around $17.40, while top earners in this field can make up to $27.24 per hour. Given that there are approximately 120 veterinary technologists and technicians employed in the area, it is crucial for job seekers to understand how these hourly rates reflect the current labor market in SC and the competitive landscape among different veterinary services.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.40 | $139.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.01 | $152.09 |
| Median (P50) | $19.33 | $154.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $24.08 | $192.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $27.24 | $217.92 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Hilton Head Island
Based on $19.33/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.33/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Hilton Head Island, SC can expect to earn approximately $40,201 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $23,193. With a cost-of-living index of 98.02 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Hilton Head Island.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Hilton Head Island
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $773.10 | $3,350 | $40,201 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $463.86 | $2,010 | $24,121 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $309.24 | $1,340 | $16,081 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (Hilton Head Island) | $19.33 |
| 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 Hilton Head Island, SC earn a median of $40,196 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.59% lower than the national median of $49,986.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.33/hr = $24,121/year (purchasing power: $24,609).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $40,201/year (purchasing power: $41,015).
CoL index: 98.017 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$15.01/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.32/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.33/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+35.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Hilton Head Island (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.01/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.76/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.61/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.36/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $19.52/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.31/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.32/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.33/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $20.39/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Hilton Head Island grew 22.1% from $15.01/hr (2019) to $18.32/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $20.39/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 Hilton Head Island 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 Hilton Head Island
Part-time veterinary technologists and technicians earning the base hourly rate can expect varying annual incomes compared to their full-time counterparts, particularly when considering a typical schedule of 24 hours a week. They may find that while full-time workers receive consistent benefits packages, part-time employees benefit from flexibility, which may be attractive in a landscape where hourly pay fluctuates based on position and demand. Per diem rates for veterinary technologists and technicians in Hilton Head Island can range from $25 to $40, with specialty technicians claiming $35 to $55. Facilities like corporate chain hospitals often offer competitive pay structures, but the variance across general practice and specialty clinics is significant. When negotiating hourly pay, it's advisable to balance immediate compensation against benefits, especially since some might prefer slightly lower hourly rates for health insurance.
More salary data for Hilton Head Island, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Hilton Head Island in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinary technologists and technicians make in Hilton Head Island?
Are veterinary technologists and technicians in Hilton Head Island paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinary technologist and technician make per year in Hilton Head Island?
Do veterinary technologists and technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Hilton Head Island?
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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 Hilton Head Island. 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