Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Virginia Beach, VA: $24.54 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in Virginia Beach, VA runs $24.54 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $51,030 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against Virginia Beach's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.9, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.06 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,625 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Virginia Beach, the veterinary technologist and technician hourly pay stands at $24.54, which is slightly above the national median hourly rate of $24.03. This rate affords part-time workers, often pursuing 24-hour work weeks over three days, a notable income. Such professionals operate across various environments, including general practice treatment areas, specialty hospital ICU wards, and academic clinical settings. The hourly rates for those entering the field typically start at around $18.00, while experienced workers can earn up to $32.00 per hour, reflecting a career trajectory that rewards skill and experience. These figures, drawn from BLS data, highlight how the local demand for veterinary services can impact pay scales, positioning Virginia Beach as a competitive market for veterinary technologists and technicians.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.00 | $143.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.42 | $187.37 |
| Median (P50) | $24.54 | $196.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.80 | $238.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $32.00 | $255.99 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Virginia Beach
Based on $24.54/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.54/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Virginia Beach, VA can expect to earn approximately $51,042 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,447. With a cost-of-living index of 97.94 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Virginia Beach.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Virginia Beach
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $981.57 | $4,253 | $51,042 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $588.94 | $2,552 | $30,625 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $392.63 | $1,701 | $20,417 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (Virginia Beach) | $24.54 |
| 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 Virginia Beach, VA earn a median of $51,030 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.09% higher than the national median of $49,986 and 1.30% above the Virginia state average of $50,375.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.54/hr = $30,625/year (purchasing power: $31,269).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $51,042/year (purchasing power: $52,115).
CoL index: 97.941 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$16.03/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.26/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.54/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+61.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Virginia Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $16.03/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.80/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.19/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.30/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.24/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.01/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.26/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.54/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.89/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Virginia Beach grew 45.1% from $16.03/hr (2019) to $23.26/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.89/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 Virginia Beach 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 Virginia Beach
Part-time veterinary technologists and technicians working 24 hours a week can expect annual earnings of approximately $30,000, significantly lower than their full-time counterparts but still a respectable wage given the sector's demands. Per-diem veterinary technologist and technician pay in Virginia Beach varies considerably, often ranging from $25 to $40 per hour for standard roles, while specialized VTS-credentialed technicians can reach $35-$55 per hour in high-demand areas like emergency care. Hospitals facing staffing shortages might offer $30-$50 per hour for weekend or overnight shifts, reflecting a competitive environment aimed at attracting skilled personnel. It's crucial to consider how hourly rates may differ between employers, from general practices and corporate chain hospitals to specialty referral institutions. Some technicians may choose positions that offer lower hourly wages in exchange for robust health benefits, creating a complex decision-making process regarding employment options in VA. Negotiating hourly pay effectively can lead to better outcomes, particularly in a city where the vet tech workforce shortage has caused rates to rise considerably in recent years.
More salary data for Virginia Beach, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Virginia Beach in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinary technologists and technicians make in Virginia Beach?
Are veterinary technologists and technicians in Virginia Beach paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinary technologist and technician make per year in Virginia Beach?
Do veterinary technologists and technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Virginia Beach?
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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 Virginia Beach. 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