Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Nashville, TN: $22.64 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in Nashville, TN runs $22.64 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $47,095 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against Nashville's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.3, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $23.50 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,255 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Nashville, the 2026 median hourly pay for veterinary technologists and technicians is projected to be $22.64, which is slightly lower than the national median of $24.03. This hourly rate impacts various working arrangements in veterinary settings, whether in general practice treatment areas or specialty hospitals. For part-time professionals working 3 days a week, this rate translates into a stable income while maintaining flexibility. The hourly salary ranges from $18.64 for entry-level positions to $29.72 for experienced technicians or those in specialized functions, reflecting the varying responsibilities and skills within the field. This data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS estimates projected to 2026, highlights how Nashville's compensation trends are shaped by local market demands and workforce conditions.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.64 | $149.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.22 | $153.78 |
| Median (P50) | $22.64 | $181.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $26.13 | $209.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $29.72 | $237.75 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Nashville
Based on $22.64/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.64/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Nashville, TN can expect to earn approximately $47,092 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,168. With a cost-of-living index of 96.34 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Nashville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Nashville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $905.61 | $3,924 | $47,092 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $543.37 | $2,355 | $28,255 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $362.24 | $1,570 | $18,837 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (Nashville) | $22.64 |
| 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 Nashville, TN earn a median of $47,095 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.78% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 12.40% above the Tennessee state average of $41,900.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.64/hr = $28,255/year (purchasing power: $29,329).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $47,092/year (purchasing power: $48,882).
CoL index: 96.338 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.43/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.46/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.64/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Nashville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.43/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $13.89/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.91/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.97/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.58/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.08/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.46/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.64/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.89/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Nashville grew 16.4% from $18.43/hr (2019) to $21.46/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.89/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 Nashville 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 Nashville
Evaluating the part-time potential, a veterinary technologist and technician working 24 hours a week might bring home around $28,115 annually, significantly less than a full-time counterpart. However, the flexibility of part-time roles, such as in emergency clinics or specialty areas, may appeal to those prioritizing work-life balance. Per diem veterinary technologist and technician pay in Nashville typically ranges from $25 to $40 per hour, with advanced specialty roles yielding around $35 to $55 per hour, particularly for vets with VTS certification. Weekend and overnight shifts in understaffed emergency clinics may offer competitive rates between $30 and $50 per hour. It's important for technicians to weigh the benefits of jobs offering health insurance against positions that might pay higher hourly rates without additional benefits. Furthermore, negotiation tactics specific to Nashville's market dynamics can significantly influence earning potential, especially in contexts where corporate consolidation affects pay scales across the board.
More salary data for Nashville, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Nashville in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinary technologists and technicians make in Nashville?
Are veterinary technologists and technicians in Nashville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinary technologist and technician make per year in Nashville?
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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 Nashville. 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