Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Chattanooga, TN: $19.78 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in Chattanooga, TN runs $19.78 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $41,145 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against Chattanooga's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.63 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $24,687 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Chattanooga, Tennessee, the projected veterinary technologist and technician hourly pay for 2026 is $19.78, which trails behind the national median hourly rate of $24.03. This rate can significantly impact those working part-time or in per-diem roles, especially in various settings such as general practice clinics, specialty hospital ICUs, university teaching hospitals, and even zoo and aquarium medical units. The hourly wage here ranges from $16.14 for entry-level positions, reaching up to $27.06 for highly experienced professionals. With official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data guiding these figures, aspiring veterinary technologists and technicians can assess their potential earnings based on local dynamics and explore how they fit within the broader national context.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.14 | $129.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.77 | $150.15 |
| Median (P50) | $19.78 | $158.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $25.19 | $201.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $27.06 | $216.49 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chattanooga
Based on $19.78/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.78/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chattanooga, TN can expect to earn approximately $41,145 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $23,738. With a cost-of-living index of 91.46 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Chattanooga.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chattanooga
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $791.25 | $3,429 | $41,145 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $474.75 | $2,057 | $24,687 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $316.50 | $1,372 | $16,458 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (Chattanooga) | $19.78 |
| 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 Chattanooga, TN earn a median of $41,145 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.69% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 1.80% below the Tennessee state average of $41,899.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.78/hr = $24,687/year (purchasing power: $26,991).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $41,145/year (purchasing power: $44,985).
CoL index: 91.464 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$15.98/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.75/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.78/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Chattanooga (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.98/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.93/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.65/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.10/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.06/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.63/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.75/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.78/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $20.87/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Chattanooga grew 17.3% from $15.98/hr (2019) to $18.75/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $20.87/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 Chattanooga 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 Chattanooga
Earning potential as a part-time veterinary technologist and technician in Chattanooga can be strikingly different from that of full-time workers. A part-time schedule of just three days a week amounting to 24 hours would result in an annual income significantly less than that of a full-time position. For those seeking flexible hours, per-diem opportunities present a more lucrative option. Per diem veterinary technologists and technicians in Chattanooga typically earn between $25 and $40 per hour, with specialty credentialed technicians earning as much as $35 to $55. Additionally, weekend or overnight coverage is particularly well-compensated, with rates reaching $30 to $50 in understaffed facilities. Various employer types—such as general practice clinics, corporate chains, specialty hospitals, and research labs—offer differing compensation levels. Some veterinary technicians may choose lower hourly rates for the added benefit of health insurance, while others may prioritize higher hourly wages without benefits. In negotiating pay, aspiring veterinary professionals in Chattanooga can benefit from an awareness of market trends and specialized skills, particularly as demand continues to rise amid an ongoing workforce shortage in the field.
More salary data for Chattanooga, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Chattanooga in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinary technologists and technicians make in Chattanooga?
Are veterinary technologists and technicians in Chattanooga paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinary technologist and technician make per year in Chattanooga?
Do veterinary technologists and technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Chattanooga?
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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 Chattanooga. 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