Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Salt Lake City, UT: $22.95 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in Salt Lake City, UT runs $22.95 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $47,728 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against Salt Lake City's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.9, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $22.75 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,637 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

Hourly compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians in Salt Lake City, Utah, stands at $22.95, which is slightly lower than the national median of $24.03 for this profession. This hourly rate can significantly impact those pursuing part-time work or per-diem positions in various environments, such as general practice clinics, specialty hospitals, and pharmaceutical research facilities. For instance, a part-time worker operating three days a week may find their earnings vary considerably, with entry-level technicians starting around $15.64 and those with more experience or specialized skills reaching up to $28.06. With a projected hourly range reflecting the differences in experience and practice settings, Salt Lake City offers an appealing wage structure for aspiring veterinary technologists and technicians.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $15.64 | $125.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.31 | $154.45 |
| Median (P50) | $22.95 | $183.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $24.33 | $194.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $28.06 | $224.50 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Salt Lake City
Based on $22.95/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.95/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Salt Lake City, UT can expect to earn approximately $47,728 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,536. With a cost-of-living index of 100.87 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Salt Lake City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Salt Lake City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $917.85 | $3,977 | $47,728 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $550.71 | $2,386 | $28,637 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $367.14 | $1,591 | $19,091 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (Salt Lake City) | $22.95 |
| 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 Salt Lake City, UT earn a median of $47,728 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.52% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 17.70% above the Utah state average of $40,551.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.95/hr = $28,637/year (purchasing power: $28,390).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $47,728/year (purchasing power: $47,317).
CoL index: 100.868 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$14.97/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.75/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.95/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+61.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Salt Lake City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $14.97/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $15.51/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.38/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.72/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.92/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.24/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.75/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.95/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.21/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Salt Lake City grew 45.3% from $14.97/hr (2019) to $21.75/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.21/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 Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City
The earning potential for part-time and per-diem veterinary technologists and technicians in Salt Lake City can be quite attractive, especially when considering the variance in hourly rates across different employment settings. If working a standard 24-hour week, a part-time technician could expect to take home $28,408 annually, a notable difference compared to full-time salaries. Per-diem roles often command higher hourly rates, with many billing between $25 and $40. Specialized technicians, particularly those with VTS credentials, can achieve rates of $35-$55 per hour, especially in urgent or specialized care environments. Rates also fluctuate across employer types, such as general practice, corporate chain facilities, and university hospitals, providing opportunities for higher pay at specialty referral hospitals. While some may opt for positions with lower hourly wages in exchange for benefits like health insurance, others pursue higher pay through agency or locum positions. Those seeking to negotiate should consider highlighting specialized skills or certifications, as embracing the growing demand in the veterinary workforce could bolster their bargaining power in this competitive market.
More salary data for Salt Lake City, UT:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Salt Lake City in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinary technologists and technicians make in Salt Lake City?
Are veterinary technologists and technicians in Salt Lake City paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinary technologist and technician make per year in Salt Lake City?
Do veterinary technologists and technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Salt Lake City?
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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 Salt Lake City. 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