Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Brookings, SD: $20.60 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in Brookings, SD runs $20.60 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $42,856 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against Brookings's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.8, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $22.20 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $25,714 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Veterinary technologists and technicians in Brookings, SD, earn a median hourly wage of $20.60, lower than the national average of $24.03 per hour. This rate offers insights for both part-time and per-diem workers in various settings, such as general practice treatment areas, specialty hospital ICU wards, and teaching hospitals. Entry-level positions may start at around $16.88 per hour, while experienced professionals can command as much as $25.68 per hour. The diverse duties of veterinary technicians, which can range from routine animal care to critical emergency support, reflect the necessity for skilled labor in this field, especially given the ongoing workforce shortage.
About the Brookings Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($34,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.88 | $135.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.56 | $140.44 |
| Median (P50) | $20.60 | $164.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $24.31 | $194.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $25.68 | $205.43 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Brookings
Based on $20.60/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $20.60/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Brookings, SD can expect to earn approximately $42,857 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $24,725. With a cost-of-living index of 92.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Brookings.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Brookings
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $824.17 | $3,571 | $42,857 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $494.50 | $2,143 | $25,714 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $329.67 | $1,429 | $17,143 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (Brookings) | $20.60 |
| 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 Brookings, SD earn a median of $42,856 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.26% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 7.60% below the South Dakota state average of $46,381.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $20.60/hr = $25,714/year (purchasing power: $27,709).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $42,857/year (purchasing power: $46,182).
CoL index: 92.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$14.56/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$19.53/hr
2026 Current Est.
$20.60/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Brookings (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.56/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $14.95/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $15.19/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $15.76/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.03/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $14.01/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $19.53/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $20.60/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21.74/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Brookings grew 34.1% from $14.56/hr (2019) to $19.53/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $21.74/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 Brookings 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 Brookings
Exploring part-time opportunities can yield significant differences in annual earnings compared to full-time roles. For instance, a veterinary technologist and technician working three days a week may take home substantially less than their full-time counterparts. Per-diem positions often provide higher hourly rates, with some billing between $25 and $40 per hour, while specialty techs can earn $35 to $55 per hour. Available work settings in Brookings, including general practices or corporate hospitals, may affect pay scale, with larger chains sometimes offering lower hourly rates than specialized facilities. Additionally, while some may choose positions that provide benefits at a lower hourly rate, others may prefer the flexibility and potentially higher pay offered by contract or locum roles. It's essential for veterinary technologists and technicians in Brookings to negotiate effectively, especially in a tight job market influenced by corporate consolidation and increased demand for skilled professionals.
More salary data for Brookings, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Brookings in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinary technologists and technicians make in Brookings?
Are veterinary technologists and technicians in Brookings paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinary technologist and technician make per year in Brookings?
Do veterinary technologists and technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Brookings?
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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 Brookings. 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 Brookings 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