Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in San Antonio, TX: $20.07 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in San Antonio, TX runs $20.07 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $41,736 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against San Antonio's regional price level (BEA RPP 94.7, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $21.19 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $25,042 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In San Antonio, TX, veterinary technologists and technicians can expect a median hourly pay of $20.07 in 2026, which falls significantly below the national median of $24.03. This hourly wage reflects the landscape for part-time and per-diem workers in various settings, such as general practice treatment areas, specialty hospitals, and research facilities. For those employed part-time, such as those working three days per week, this pay structure allows for flexible schedules while still offering a reasonable income. The hourly range tells a wider story: entry-level workers can expect to earn around $15.40 per hour, while top earners reach as high as $28.47 per hour. This data is drawn from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, highlighting the salary expectations for veterinary technologists and technicians in the region.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.40 | $123.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.73 | $149.81 |
| Median (P50) | $20.07 | $160.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $23.91 | $191.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $28.47 | $227.80 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Antonio
Based on $20.07/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $20.07/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Antonio, TX can expect to earn approximately $41,737 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $24,079. With a cost-of-living index of 94.72 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in San Antonio.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Antonio
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $802.64 | $3,478 | $41,737 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $481.59 | $2,087 | $25,042 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $321.06 | $1,391 | $16,695 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (San Antonio) | $20.07 |
| 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 San Antonio, TX earn a median of $41,736 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.50% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 5.30% above the Texas state average of $39,635.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $20.07/hr = $25,042/year (purchasing power: $26,440).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $41,737/year (purchasing power: $44,066).
CoL index: 94.716 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$15.97/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$19.02/hr
2026 Current Est.
$20.07/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+32.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in San Antonio (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $15.97/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $16.88/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $14.35/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $14.78/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $17.45/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $18.05/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $19.02/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $20.07/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $21.17/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in San Antonio grew 19.1% from $15.97/hr (2019) to $19.02/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $21.17/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 San Antonio 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 San Antonio
Focusing on the earning potential, veterinary technologists and technicians who work part-time for just 24 hours a week might take home approximately $25,001 annually, significantly less than their full-time counterparts. Moreover, per-diem positions can offer higher rates, where hourly pay can range from $25 to $40 for general roles and considerably more for specialized technicians, with some earning between $35 and $55 an hour. Veterinary technologists and technicians in San Antonio may see hourly rates vary by employer type—general practice clinics often offer the lowest while specialty hospitals and research labs tend to pay better. However, some may choose lower hourly wages that come with benefits, such as health insurance, as opposed to higher wages that lack such perks. For those negotiating hourly rates, understanding industry standards and the local job market is crucial, especially given the acute workforce shortage in veterinary services across the region.
More salary data for San Antonio, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in San Antonio in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinary technologists and technicians make in San Antonio?
Are veterinary technologists and technicians in San Antonio paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinary technologist and technician make per year in San Antonio?
Do veterinary technologists and technicians earn more per hour working part-time in San Antonio?
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 San Antonio. 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