Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Houston, TX: $22.38 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in Houston, TX runs $22.38 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $46,536 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against Houston's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.6, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $22.69 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $27,926 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinary technologists and technicians in Houston, TX, can expect a median hourly pay of $22.38, which falls below the national median of $24.03. This discrepancy signifies the dynamics of the local market, impacting part-time and per-diem workers who operate in various settings, from general practice treatment areas to specialty hospital intensive care units. For those working three days a week, the earnings, coupled with the hourly rates ranging from $15.85 at the entry-level to $28.59 for the top earners, present a unique financial landscape. Official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data reveals that, while many entry-level veterinary technologists and technicians begin closer to the lower end of the scale, opportunities for growth and specialization can significantly enhance earnings over time.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.85 | $126.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.60 | $148.80 |
| Median (P50) | $22.38 | $179.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.93 | $191.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $28.59 | $228.72 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Houston
Based on $22.38/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.38/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Houston, TX can expect to earn approximately $46,543 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $26,852. With a cost-of-living index of 98.63 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Houston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Houston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $895.06 | $3,879 | $46,543 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $537.04 | $2,327 | $27,926 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $358.02 | $1,551 | $18,617 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (Houston) | $22.38 |
| 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 Houston, TX earn a median of $46,536 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.90% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 17.40% above the Texas state average of $39,639.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.38/hr = $27,926/year (purchasing power: $28,314).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $46,543/year (purchasing power: $47,190).
CoL index: 98.629 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$13.46/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.21/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.38/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+75.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Houston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $13.46/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.29/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $16.35/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $16.41/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.30/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.17/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.21/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.38/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.61/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Houston grew 57.6% from $13.46/hr (2019) to $21.21/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.61/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 Houston 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 Houston
Part-time veterinary technologists and technicians working 24-hour weeks will find that their annual take-home pay differs considerably compared to full-time counterparts, often making it vital to evaluate personal financial needs and career goals. Some per-diem professionals may command rates between $25 and $40, particularly in high-demand emergency and specialty settings where VTS-credentialed technicians can earn even more, ranging from $35 to $55 an hour. Employer type greatly influences hourly pay as well, with specialty referral hospitals and corporate chains potentially offering higher rates than traditional clinics. While accepting lower hourly pay for benefits like health insurance is common, ambitious professionals often prioritize higher wages in roles that lack such perks. Effective negotiation within Houston's veterinary market is crucial; emphasizing certifications, such as those from NAVTA, can be advantageous in securing better offers while navigating the current vet tech workforce shortage in the area.
More salary data for Houston, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Houston in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinary technologists and technicians make in Houston?
Are veterinary technologists and technicians in Houston paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinary technologist and technician make per year in Houston?
Do veterinary technologists and technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Houston?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Texas
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 Houston. 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