Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Lacey, WA: $29.81 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in Lacey, WA runs $29.81 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,007 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against Lacey's regional price level (BEA RPP 107.4, 7% above national), each hour of work buys what $27.76 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,208 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lacey, WA, veterinary technologists and technicians earn a median hourly pay of $29.81. This figure is quite competitive, especially when compared to the national hourly median of $24.03, indicating a stronger pay scale in the region. For part-time workers, such as those employed three days a week, this translates to a decent weekly income that can easily support their living expenses. Per-diem opportunities in Lacey further enhance earning potential, with hourly rates typically starting around $23.35 for entry-level positions and reaching up to $41.07 for experienced technicians. These estimates reflect the wide-ranging environments these professionals operate in, from general practice treatment areas and specialty hospital ICU wards to university teaching hospitals and pharmaceutical research facilities.
About the Lacey Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.35 | $186.78 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.94 | $199.52 |
| Median (P50) | $29.81 | $238.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.48 | $283.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.07 | $328.57 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lacey
Based on $29.81/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.81/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lacey, WA can expect to earn approximately $62,014 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,777. With a cost-of-living index of 107.40 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Lacey.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lacey
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,192.57 | $5,168 | $62,014 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $715.54 | $3,101 | $37,208 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $477.03 | $2,067 | $24,805 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (Lacey) | $29.81 |
| 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 Lacey, WA earn a median of $62,007 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.05% higher than the national median of $49,986 and 1.00% below the Washington state average of $62,633.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.81/hr = $37,208/year (purchasing power: $34,645).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,014/year (purchasing power: $57,741).
CoL index: 107.4 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$21.07/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.26/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.81/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Lacey (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.07/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.63/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.98/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.81/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.09/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.35/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.26/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.81/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.45/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Lacey grew 34.1% from $21.07/hr (2019) to $28.26/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.45/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 Lacey 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 Lacey
Part-time veterinary technologists and technicians working in Lacey typically find themselves earning less annually compared to their full-time counterparts; for example, a 24-hour work week might yield about $56,335 per year. Many professionals in this field explore per-diem roles, billing anywhere from $25 to $40 per hour depending on their skill set and circumstances. Notably, VTS-credentialed specialty technicians can command $35 to $55 per hour when working in areas like emergency and critical care, particularly during high-demand shifts such as weekends or overnight hours, which often pay even higher rates of $30 to $50. Additionally, the work settings greatly influence hourly pay; general practice clinics may offer slightly lower rates, while corporate chain hospitals and specialty facilities often compensate better. It’s common for veterinary technologists to weigh the trade-off between hourly pay and benefits like health insurance, which can lead to accepting a lower pay rate for stability. When negotiating hourly pay, professionals should consider local market trends and come prepared to discuss their VTS credentials and relevant experience to secure more favorable rates.
More salary data for Lacey, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Lacey in 2026?
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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 Lacey. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Lacey is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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