Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Odessa, TX: $17.93 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in Odessa, TX runs $17.93 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $37,305 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against Odessa's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.9, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $19.10 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $22,383 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinary technologists and technicians in Odessa, TX, earn a median hourly pay of $17.93, which falls significantly below the national median of $24.03. This lower hourly rate reflects the specific economic conditions of the region, where entry-level workers in this field can expect to make around $13.71 an hour, while those at the top end of the pay scale can earn up to $25.45. This compensation structure influences both part-time workers, who typically might work three days a week, and those seeking per-diem roles, where flexibility in scheduling can impact their overall earnings. Official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data indicates that a career in veterinary technology in Odessa can involve various settings, such as general practice treatment areas or specialty hospitals, translating into variable hourly compensation based on experience, specialization, and facility type.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $13.71 | $109.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.47 | $139.77 |
| Median (P50) | $17.93 | $143.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $20.01 | $160.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $25.45 | $203.57 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Odessa
Based on $17.93/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $17.93/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Odessa, TX can expect to earn approximately $37,305 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $21,522. With a cost-of-living index of 93.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Odessa.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Odessa
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $717.40 | $3,109 | $37,305 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $430.44 | $1,865 | $22,383 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $286.96 | $1,243 | $14,922 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (Odessa) | $17.93 |
| 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 Odessa, TX earn a median of $37,305 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.37% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 5.90% below the Texas state average of $39,644.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $17.93/hr = $22,383/year (purchasing power: $23,838).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $37,305/year (purchasing power: $39,730).
CoL index: 93.896 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$15.03/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$17.00/hr
2026 Current Est.
$17.93/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Odessa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.03/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.15/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $13.22/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $13.72/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $15.69/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.47/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $17.00/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $17.93/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $18.92/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Odessa grew 13.1% from $15.03/hr (2019) to $17.00/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $18.92/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 Odessa 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 Odessa
The realities of earning potential for veterinary technologists and technicians on a part-time schedule can be stark. A worker putting in 24 hours a week might take home a significantly lower annual income compared to their full-time counterparts who average a more stable wage annually. For those opting for per-diem positions in Odessa, pay rates vary widely; agency vet techs often charge between $25 and $40 per hour for their services, while specialty technicians and those covering weekend shifts at emergency clinics can earn anywhere from $30 to $50 per hour. This diversity in compensation correlates directly to employer type, with corporate chain hospitals frequently offering lower pay rates that might be offset by benefits. Workers should be aware of their leverage in negotiating pay, particularly in a market experiencing a shortage of qualified veterinary staff, allowing for discussions of higher hourly rates in exchange for skilled labor or specialized credentials like the VTS.
More salary data for Odessa, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Odessa in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinary technologists and technicians make in Odessa?
Are veterinary technologists and technicians in Odessa paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinary technologist and technician make per year in Odessa?
Do veterinary technologists and technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Odessa?
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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 Odessa. 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, 4-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