Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Austin, TX: $22.87 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in Austin, TX runs $22.87 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $47,581 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against Austin's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.1, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $23.32 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,545 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Austin, Texas, the projected median hourly pay for veterinary technologists and technicians is $22.87, slightly below the national median of $24.03. This figure reflects the compensation landscape for professionals working in various settings, including general practice treatment areas, specialty hospitals, university teaching clinics, and facilities focused on zoo or aquarium animal care. For part-time workers, such as those employed three days a week, this hourly wage translates to a robust income, especially given the flexible work schedules that allow for a better work-life balance. With an hourly range stretching from $17.91 for entry-level positions to $27.67 for experienced professionals, the earning potential is promising, and these figures are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.91 | $143.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.61 | $148.88 |
| Median (P50) | $22.87 | $182.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $24.44 | $195.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $27.67 | $221.38 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Austin
Based on $22.87/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.87/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Austin, TX can expect to earn approximately $47,575 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,447. With a cost-of-living index of 98.07 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Austin.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Austin
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $914.90 | $3,965 | $47,575 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $548.94 | $2,379 | $28,545 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $365.96 | $1,586 | $19,030 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (Austin) | $22.87 |
| 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 Austin, TX earn a median of $47,581 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.81% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 20.00% above the Texas state average of $39,650.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.87/hr = $28,545/year (purchasing power: $29,108).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $47,575/year (purchasing power: $48,513).
CoL index: 98.066 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$15.10/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.68/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.87/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+59.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Austin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.10/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $14.11/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $16.94/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.57/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.35/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.34/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.68/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.87/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.13/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Austin grew 43.6% from $15.10/hr (2019) to $21.68/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.13/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 Austin 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 Austin
Considering the financial dynamics of being a veterinary technologist and technician in Austin, part-time workers can expect to earn substantial income over the course of a year. Working 24 hours weekly, a part-time technician could bring home over $28,000 annually, demonstrating the strong earning potential even outside of full-time employment. For those considering per diem opportunities, hourly rates can be quite lucrative; per diem veterinary technologist and technician pay in Austin can range between $25 to $40, with VTS-credentialed specialists potentially earning $35 to $55 per hour. Additionally, positions requiring weekend or overnight coverage often command higher rates, reflecting the acute talent shortages in the market. Earnings vary notably across employer types, as corporate chain hospitals may offer different pay structures than specialty referral hospitals or research facilities. While some professionals may opt for lower hourly pay in exchange for benefits like health insurance, others prioritize higher rates without benefits. For those entering the field, negotiating pay based on credentials and experience can significantly impact overall compensation, particularly in a competitive city like Austin.
More salary data for Austin, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Austin in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinary technologists and technicians make in Austin?
Are veterinary technologists and technicians in Austin paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinary technologist and technician make per year in Austin?
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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 Austin. 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