Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Port Arthur, TX: $19.51 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in Port Arthur, TX runs $19.51 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $40,567 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against Port Arthur's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $20.32 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $24,345 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Port Arthur, veterinary technologists and technicians are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $19.51 in 2026, which is significantly below the national median of $24.03. This disparity indicates that professionals in this field may face challenges in securing competitive pay within the local market. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, or in per-diem roles typically found in general practice treatment areas, specialty hospitals, or research facilities, this hourly rate translates into varying levels of annual income based on their work schedule. Entry-level positions start at about $14.71 per hour, while top earners can make up to $25.47. These figures are derived from projected annual data and provide a clear sense of how the local veterinary workforce is compensated compared to national trends.
About the Port Arthur 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) | $14.71 | $117.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $15.88 | $127.02 |
| Median (P50) | $19.51 | $156.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.49 | $187.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $25.47 | $203.74 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Port Arthur
Based on $19.51/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.51/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Port Arthur, TX can expect to earn approximately $40,574 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $23,408. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Port Arthur.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Port Arthur
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $780.28 | $3,381 | $40,574 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $468.17 | $2,029 | $24,345 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $312.11 | $1,352 | $16,230 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (Port Arthur) | $19.51 |
| 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 Port Arthur, TX earn a median of $40,567 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.84% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 2.30% above the Texas state average of $39,655.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.51/hr = $24,345/year (purchasing power: $25,359).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $40,574/year (purchasing power: $42,265).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$13.78/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$18.49/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.51/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Port Arthur (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $13.78/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $14.15/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.38/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $14.92/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.07/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $17.76/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $18.49/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.51/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $20.58/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Port Arthur grew 34.1% from $13.78/hr (2019) to $18.49/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $20.58/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 Port Arthur 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 Port Arthur
Many professionals in the field may find part-time work appealing due to the flexibility it provides. A veterinary technologist and technician working 24 hours a week could expect to bring home considerably less than their full-time counterparts, highlighting the contrast between hourly work and annual earnings. Per-diem roles often bring in higher pay rates, with some billing between $25 and $40 an hour, especially for critical or specialized roles in emergency and critical care settings where demand is high. Hourly rates can vary widely depending on the employer type; general practice clinics may offer lower pay than corporate chains or specialty facilities. Some veterinary technologists and technicians opt for positions offering lower hourly wages but better benefits, such as health insurance, thereby trading off immediate pay for long-term security. As negotiations occur in Port Arthur's veterinary market, candidates should emphasize their specific skills and credentials—especially those with VTS specialty certification— to advocate for better pay, addressing the significant workforce shortage and elevated compensation trends seen in recent years.
More salary data for Port Arthur, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Port Arthur in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinary technologists and technicians make in Port Arthur?
Are veterinary technologists and technicians in Port Arthur paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinary technologist and technician make per year in Port Arthur?
Do veterinary technologists and technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Port Arthur?
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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 Port Arthur. 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 Port Arthur 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