Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in El Paso, TX: $18.38 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in El Paso, TX runs $18.38 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $38,233 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against El Paso's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.9, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $20.44 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $22,936 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In El Paso, veterinary technologists and technicians can expect a median hourly pay of $18.38, which is significantly lower than the national median of $24.03. This hourly rate positions the profession as accessible for those seeking part-time opportunities, particularly for workers willing to engage in per-diem roles at various medical facilities, including general practice treatment areas, specialty hospitals, and university teaching clinics. El Paso's hourly range for these positions spans from $14.26 for entry-level workers to $24.19 for experienced professionals. Official BLS data indicates that such roles in the city offer a viable option for those interested in the animal health field, especially considering the ongoing demand for veterinary services in the area.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $14.26 | $114.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $15.14 | $121.11 |
| Median (P50) | $18.38 | $147.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $21.60 | $172.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $24.19 | $193.53 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in El Paso
Based on $18.38/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $18.38/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in El Paso, TX can expect to earn approximately $38,226 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $22,054. With a cost-of-living index of 89.91 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in El Paso.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in El Paso
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $735.12 | $3,186 | $38,226 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $441.07 | $1,911 | $22,936 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $294.05 | $1,274 | $15,291 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (El Paso) | $18.38 |
| 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 El Paso, TX earn a median of $38,233 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.51% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 3.60% below the Texas state average of $39,661.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $18.38/hr = $22,936/year (purchasing power: $25,509).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $38,226/year (purchasing power: $42,515).
CoL index: 89.912 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$13.15/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$17.42/hr
2026 Current Est.
$18.38/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+47.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in El Paso (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $13.15/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $14.28/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $13.36/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $13.59/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $14.38/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.49/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $17.42/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $18.38/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $19.39/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in El Paso grew 32.5% from $13.15/hr (2019) to $17.42/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $19.39/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 El Paso 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 El Paso
Examining the part-time earning potential reveals that a veterinary technologist and technician working three days a week, or 24 hours total, might take home a yearly income that reflects a stark difference compared to full-timers. Individuals in per-diem roles often bill at rates ranging from $25 to $40 per hour, with VTS-credentialed specialists commanding $35 to $55. Meanwhile, those providing weekend or overnight emergency coverage may earn between $30 to $50 per hour, particularly in shortage markets. The disparity in hourly rates often depends on the type of employer, with corporate chain hospitals generally offering different compensation structures compared to independent practices or specialty facilities in El Paso. Additionally, many technicians find themselves balancing the choice between higher pay rates without benefits and lower rates that include essential health insurance. When negotiating pay, it's beneficial for workers to highlight their credentials and the acute demand for veterinary staff, which can significantly affect compensation packages in this evolving job market.
More salary data for El Paso, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in El Paso in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinary technologists and technicians make in El Paso?
Are veterinary technologists and technicians in El Paso paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinary technologist and technician make per year in El Paso?
Do veterinary technologists and technicians earn more per hour working part-time in El Paso?
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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 El Paso. 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