Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Staunton, VA: $23.47 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in Staunton, VA runs $23.47 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,825 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against Staunton's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.1, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.76 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,295 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinary technologists and technicians in Staunton, Virginia, earn a median hourly pay of $23.47, slightly below the national median of $24.03. This hourly rate provides a competitive wage, particularly for those working part-time in various settings such as general practice clinics, specialty hospitals, and teaching institutions. For a typical part-time schedule of three days a week, or 24 hours, veterinary technologists and technicians can expect their income to allow for a reasonable standard of living. Entry-level professionals may earn as little as $18.48 per hour, while those at the higher end of the pay scale can see rates reach $28.74. BLS-based estimates indicate that Staunton’s pay structure uniquely reflects its local job market, where the demand for skilled veterinary staff continues to grow.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.48 | $147.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.31 | $170.49 |
| Median (P50) | $23.47 | $187.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $25.15 | $201.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $28.74 | $229.91 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Staunton
Based on $23.47/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.47/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Staunton, VA can expect to earn approximately $48,825 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,169. With a cost-of-living index of 91.13 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Staunton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Staunton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $938.95 | $4,069 | $48,825 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $563.37 | $2,441 | $29,295 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $375.58 | $1,628 | $19,530 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (Staunton) | $23.47 |
| 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 Staunton, VA earn a median of $48,825 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.32% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 3.10% below the Virginia state average of $50,387.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.47/hr = $29,295/year (purchasing power: $32,147).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,825/year (purchasing power: $53,579).
CoL index: 91.128 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.01/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.25/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.47/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Staunton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.01/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.44/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.76/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.37/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.68/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.04/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.25/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.47/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.76/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Staunton grew 17.0% from $19.01/hr (2019) to $22.25/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.76/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 Staunton 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 Staunton
Part-time veterinary technologists and technicians working in Staunton may take home around $36,847 annually at their median hourly rate, a fraction of what full-time workers earn but still providing important income. Additionally, many professionals in this field explore per-diem opportunities, which can offer impressive hourly earnings. Per diem veterinary technologist and technician pay in Staunton can range from $25 to $40 per hour, especially for those with Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) credentials, who may command rates as high as $35-$55 per hour. Different employer types affect pay rates, with corporate chains might offer lower rates but often include health benefits, while specialty hospitals can provide higher hourly pay but may lack benefits. For individuals navigating their compensation, understanding the balance between hourly wage and benefits is crucial, as well as knowing market demands when negotiating their pay in Staunton, VA.
More salary data for Staunton, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Staunton in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinary technologists and technicians make in Staunton?
Are veterinary technologists and technicians in Staunton paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinary technologist and technician make per year in Staunton?
Do veterinary technologists and technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Staunton?
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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 Staunton. 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