Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Columbia, TN: $19.63 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in Columbia, TN runs $19.63 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $40,827 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against Columbia's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.8, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.39 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $24,503 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Columbia, TN, veterinary technologists and technicians are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $19.63 in 2026, which is notably below the national median of $24.03. For part-time workers, such as those who work three days a week, this translates to about $1,217 per month based on a typical 24-hour workweek. Opportunities for per-diem work can vary significantly; many facilities across the region, including general practice clinics and specialty hospitals, often require these workers for urgent shifts. The hourly rates can range from $14.66 for entry-level positions up to $26.03 for the highest earners with specialized certifications or extensive experience. Such salary estimations are derived from broader annual salary data, reflecting not only the local cost of living—indexed at 91.8, lower than the national average—but also the increasing demand for qualified veterinary personnel in various care environments.
About the Columbia Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee 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) | $14.66 | $117.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $15.78 | $126.26 |
| Median (P50) | $19.63 | $157.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $24.05 | $192.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $26.03 | $208.21 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Columbia
Based on $19.63/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.63/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Columbia, TN can expect to earn approximately $40,838 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $23,560. With a cost-of-living index of 91.80 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Columbia.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Columbia
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $785.34 | $3,403 | $40,838 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $471.21 | $2,042 | $24,503 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $314.14 | $1,361 | $16,335 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (Columbia) | $19.63 |
| 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 Columbia, TN earn a median of $40,827 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.32% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 2.50% below the Tennessee state average of $41,874.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.63/hr = $24,503/year (purchasing power: $26,691).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $40,838/year (purchasing power: $44,486).
CoL index: 91.8 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$13.87/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.61/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.63/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Columbia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $13.87/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $14.24/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.47/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $15.02/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.18/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $14.62/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.61/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.63/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $20.71/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Columbia grew 34.1% from $13.87/hr (2019) to $18.61/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $20.71/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 Columbia 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 Columbia
In considering part-time earnings, a veterinary technologist and technician in Columbia working 24 hours weekly would bring home approximately $14,628 annually, a fraction of what full-time employees might earn. Per-diem veterinary technologists and technicians in Columbia often command higher rates, billing anywhere from $25 to $40 per hour for their services. Specialists who achieve Veterinary Technician Specialty (VTS) certification typically can secure $35 to $55 per hour, especially within emergency settings that urgently need coverage during nights and weekends, where rates can soar to $50. Employers vary widely, from corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl to local specialty hospitals and teaching facilities, all of which dictate different pay scales. For those attracted by the hourly opportunities, negotiating for better rates could involve choosing positions that forgo benefits but offer higher pay, reflecting the ongoing shortage in the veterinary tech workforce and the shifts seen in compensation patterns between 2020 and 2026.
More salary data for Columbia, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Columbia in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinary technologists and technicians make in Columbia?
Are veterinary technologists and technicians in Columbia paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinary technologist and technician make per year in Columbia?
Do veterinary technologists and technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Columbia?
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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 Columbia. 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 Columbia 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