Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Arlington, TX: $22.05 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in Arlington, TX runs $22.05 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $45,855 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against Arlington's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $22.97 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $27,518 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Arlington, Texas, veterinary technologists and technicians can expect a median hourly pay of $22.05, which is slightly below the national median of $24.03. This wage reveals a viable earning potential for those engaged in part-time work; for instance, someone working three days a week could take home a steady income while balancing their schedule for personal commitments or further training. Entry-level professionals may find themselves earning around $15.45 per hour, while experienced technicians can command up to $30.55 in high-demand environments, such as specialty hospitals or emergency clinics. The diverse range of settings—ranging from general practice treatment areas to municipal zoo animal medical units—demonstrates that hourly rates can vary significantly based on the type of facility and the complexity of care provided.
About the Arlington Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($38,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.45 | $123.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.22 | $137.74 |
| Median (P50) | $22.05 | $176.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.40 | $219.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $30.55 | $244.42 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Arlington
Based on $22.05/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.05/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Arlington, TX can expect to earn approximately $45,863 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $26,459. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Arlington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Arlington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $881.98 | $3,822 | $45,863 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $529.19 | $2,293 | $27,518 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $352.79 | $1,529 | $18,345 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (Arlington) | $22.05 |
| 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 Arlington, TX earn a median of $45,855 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.26% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 15.70% above the Texas state average of $39,632.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.05/hr = $27,518/year (purchasing power: $28,664).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $45,863/year (purchasing power: $47,774).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$15.58/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$20.90/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.05/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Arlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.58/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.99/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $16.26/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.87/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $19.29/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.04/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $20.90/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.05/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.26/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Arlington grew 34.1% from $15.58/hr (2019) to $20.90/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.26/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 Arlington 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 Arlington
Examining the financial prospects for veterinary technologists and technicians reveals interesting insights into part-time and per-diem work in Arlington. For a technician working part-time at 24 hours per week, the annual income could land significantly less than that of a full-time counterpart, potentially around $27,527, contingent on their actual hours and shifts. Many choose per-diem positions, where pay rates can fluctuate between $25 and $40 per hour, allowing for greater flexibility but varying income reliability. Those with Veterinary Technician Specialty (VTS) credentials can see their pay climb even higher, with rates reaching $35 to $55 per hour in specialized practices. However, working for larger corporate veterinary hospitals may offer different compensation structures; while hourly rates might be lower, they often come with beneficial health insurance packages, leading some to consider long-term stability over higher pay. When negotiating salaries, it's crucial to understand the pay scale unique to Arlington’s market, allowing aspiring and current veterinary technicians to align their skills and expectations with the competitive landscape.
More salary data for Arlington, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Arlington in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinary technologists and technicians make in Arlington?
Are veterinary technologists and technicians in Arlington paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinary technologist and technician make per year in Arlington?
Do veterinary technologists and technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Arlington?
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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 Arlington. 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 Arlington 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