Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Charlottesville, VA: $26.91 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in Charlottesville, VA runs $26.91 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $55,978 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against Charlottesville's regional price level (BEA RPP 99.1, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.14 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,587 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Charlottesville, Virginia, the reported veterinary technologist and technician hourly rate is $26.91, which exceeds the national hourly median of $24.03. This substantial difference indicates a competitive local job market, making it an attractive destination for those in the profession. For part-time workers, for example, those working three days a week typically earn around $1,294 per week, or approximately $67,368 annually if the schedule is consistent. The hourly range for this field in Charlottesville varies widely; from entry-level positions starting at $18.86 to seasoned professionals and specialists, who can earn as much as $36.51. This data, derived from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, paints a promising picture for both seasoned technicians and newcomers hoping to make a start in environments such as general practice clinics or specialty hospitals.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.86 | $150.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.62 | $196.99 |
| Median (P50) | $26.91 | $215.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.33 | $250.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.51 | $292.11 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Charlottesville
Based on $26.91/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.91/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Charlottesville, VA can expect to earn approximately $55,979 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,296. With a cost-of-living index of 99.15 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Charlottesville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Charlottesville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,076.52 | $4,665 | $55,979 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $645.91 | $2,799 | $33,587 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $430.61 | $1,866 | $22,392 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (Charlottesville) | $26.91 |
| 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 Charlottesville, VA earn a median of $55,978 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.99% higher than the national median of $49,986 and 11.10% above the Virginia state average of $50,386.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.91/hr = $33,587/year (purchasing power: $33,877).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $55,979/year (purchasing power: $56,461).
CoL index: 99.146 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.30/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.51/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.91/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+39.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Charlottesville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.30/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.23/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.51/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.18/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.68/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.80/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.51/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.91/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.39/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Charlottesville grew 25.7% from $20.30/hr (2019) to $25.51/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.39/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 Charlottesville 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 Charlottesville
Per diem roles in Charlottesville can offer varying rates, with many veterinary technologists and technicians billing between $25 and $40 per hour. For those pursuing a Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) credential, salaries tend toward the higher end, often falling between $35 and $55 per hour. Weekend and overnight shifts in emergency and critical care settings may yield even higher pay, in the range of $30 to $50, reflecting the acute workforce shortages faced by clinics and hospitals. However, pay varies significantly according to the type of employer: general practices may offer lower rates compared to corporate chains like VCA or specialty hospitals. Many veterinary technologists face a trade-off when it comes to benefits versus salary, choosing positions that may pay less hourly but provide health insurance and retirement plans. Negotiating for better pay can include discussing experience, specialization, and local market conditions, especially in a city like Charlottesville where the demand for skilled technicians continues to grow.
More salary data for Charlottesville, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Charlottesville in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinary technologists and technicians make in Charlottesville?
Are veterinary technologists and technicians in Charlottesville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinary technologist and technician make per year in Charlottesville?
Do veterinary technologists and technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Charlottesville?
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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 Charlottesville. 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