Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Knoxville, TN: $25.36 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in Knoxville, TN runs $25.36 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $52,761 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against Knoxville's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.6, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.40 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,652 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinary technologists and technicians in Knoxville, TN, earn a median hourly pay of $25.36, positioning them above the national median of $24.03. This competitive pay rate signifies favorable working conditions for both full-time and part-time employees. For those working part-time roles, such as three days a week, this means a substantial hourly compensation that can support a stable income, whether in general practice clinics, specialty hospitals, or research facilities. The hourly pay range for this profession in Knoxville varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting at $17.97 and top earners reaching up to $30.95. These figures represent official data collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics and reflect the demand for skilled veterinary professionals in the area.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.97 | $143.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.40 | $155.21 |
| Median (P50) | $25.36 | $202.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.95 | $247.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $30.95 | $247.63 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Knoxville
Based on $25.36/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.36/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Knoxville, TN can expect to earn approximately $52,753 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,435. With a cost-of-living index of 92.57 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Knoxville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Knoxville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,014.49 | $4,396 | $52,753 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $608.69 | $2,638 | $31,652 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $405.80 | $1,758 | $21,101 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (Knoxville) | $25.36 |
| 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 Knoxville, TN earn a median of $52,761 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.55% higher than the national median of $49,986 and 25.90% above the Tennessee state average of $41,907.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.36/hr = $31,652/year (purchasing power: $34,193).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $52,753/year (purchasing power: $56,988).
CoL index: 92.569 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$13.32/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.04/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.36/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+100.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Knoxville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $13.32/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $13.11/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.62/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.11/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $19.66/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.42/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.04/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.36/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.76/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Knoxville grew 80.5% from $13.32/hr (2019) to $24.04/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.76/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 Knoxville 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 Knoxville
Considering the earning potential for part-time veterinary technologists and technicians in Knoxville, a three-day workweek of approximately 24 hours might yield around $48,000 annually—substantially less than a full-time schedule. The per diem arrangements offer further opportunities to boost income, with veterinary technicians billing between $25 and $40 an hour for standard duties. For specialty-certified technicians, particularly those with VTS credentials, rates soar to between $35 and $55 per hour, especially for high-demand roles or weekend shifts in emergency care. Employer types significantly influence pay scales; general practice clinics may offer less compared to corporate chains and specialty hospitals, where higher complexity often demands greater compensation. This diversity allows professionals in Knoxville the chance to negotiate their hourly rates effectively, balancing factors like benefits versus higher pay, which can encourage some to prioritize job security alongside competitive wages in this demanding field.
More salary data for Knoxville, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Knoxville in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinary technologists and technicians make in Knoxville?
Are veterinary technologists and technicians in Knoxville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinary technologist and technician make per year in Knoxville?
Do veterinary technologists and technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Knoxville?
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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 Knoxville. 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