Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Sioux Falls, SD: $23.58 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in Sioux Falls, SD runs $23.58 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $49,047 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against Sioux Falls's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.6, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.02 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,427 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

Veterinary technologists and technicians in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, earn a median hourly rate of $23.58, which is slightly below the national median of $24.03. For those in part-time positions, such as working three days a week, this equates to manageable weekly earnings, especially in various work environments like general practice clinics, specialty hospitals, and research facilities. The hourly rate ranges from $18.81 for entry-level roles to $25.15 for experienced professionals, reflecting the typical salary spectrum found in this important field. Such hourly data comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, projected for 2026, highlighting that the workforce demand for these roles continues to grow amidst rising pay rates.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.81 | $150.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.14 | $177.16 |
| Median (P50) | $23.58 | $188.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $24.08 | $192.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $25.15 | $201.21 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sioux Falls
Based on $23.58/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.58/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sioux Falls, SD can expect to earn approximately $49,045 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,295. With a cost-of-living index of 90.63 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Sioux Falls.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sioux Falls
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $943.17 | $4,087 | $49,045 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $565.90 | $2,452 | $29,427 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $377.27 | $1,635 | $19,618 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (Sioux Falls) | $23.58 |
| 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 Sioux Falls, SD earn a median of $49,047 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.88% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 5.70% above the South Dakota state average of $46,402.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.58/hr = $29,427/year (purchasing power: $32,469).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $49,045/year (purchasing power: $54,115).
CoL index: 90.631 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.41/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.35/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.58/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+42.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Sioux Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.41/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.56/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.64/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.36/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.21/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.74/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.35/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.58/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.88/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Sioux Falls grew 28.4% from $17.41/hr (2019) to $22.35/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.88/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 Sioux Falls 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 Sioux Falls
When considering the employment dynamics for veterinary technologists and technicians, part-time workers earning at the hourly median could take home about $29,028 annually, compared to a typical full-time worker's earnings. Per-diem and agency workers often enjoy more lucrative options, billing between $25 and $40 per hour, with specialized technicians earning $35-$55 per hour, especially in high-demand settings like emergency care. Notably, hourly rates can vary significantly by employer type in Sioux Falls, impacting financial decisions. Some veterinary technologists may choose lower-paying yet benefits-inclusive positions over higher hourly wages that miss health coverage. For those negotiating pay, understanding local market rates and potential shifts in demand can be key, particularly in a growing state like SD, where the overall veterinary workforce is tightening.
More salary data for Sioux Falls, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Sioux Falls in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinary technologists and technicians make in Sioux Falls?
Are veterinary technologists and technicians in Sioux Falls paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinary technologist and technician make per year in Sioux Falls?
Do veterinary technologists and technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Sioux Falls?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in South Dakota
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 Sioux Falls. 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