Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Hawaii: $55,067 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Hawaii's 10 metropolitan areas, the average median veterinary technologist and technician pay sits at $55,067/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2056. Because Hawaii sits at BEA RPP 119.3 (19% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $46,158 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Honolulu ($60,145), Kaneohe ($56,168), Mililani Town ($56,067).
In Hawaii, the average median salary for veterinary technologists and technicians in 2026 is projected to be $55,067, which is approximately 10.2% higher than the national median of $49,986. Honolulu leads the state with a salary of $63,453, while Urban Honolulu offers the lowest at $50,714. This notable salary gap stems from factors including the cost of living in different areas, local demand for veterinary services, and varying competition levels among employers. Veterinary technologists and technicians in Hawaii must meet specific state licensing requirements and adhere to scope of practice laws that can influence both their responsibilities and earning potential. The demand for qualified professionals in this field is driven by Hawaii's unique pet ownership rates and increasing veterinary services availability. Currently, there are around 340 veterinary technologists and technicians employed in the state, with a projected job growth rate of 5.50% per year, reflecting positive trends in the job market. Notable cities for salaries include Kaneohe at $59,257, Mililani Town at $59,151, Kailua at $59,114, and East Honolulu at $58,456, all contributing to a stable outlook for those entering the profession in Hawaii.
Hawaii Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary Range
Overall salary range in Hawaii: $37,959 (lowest entry-level) to $85,747 (highest top earner)
Hawaii vs National Average
Hawaii veterinary technologists and technicians earn 10.16% more than the national median (+$5,081/year difference).
Hawaii Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary Distribution (2026)
Veterinary Technologist and Technician salaries in Hawaii range from $41,278 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $72,204 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $55,067. The Hawaii median is $5,081 above the US national median of $49,986. The average hourly rate is $26.48/hr. Approximately 340 veterinary technologist and technicians are employed across 10 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$37,270
2025 BLS Actual
$52,196
2026 Current Est.
$55,067
2019–2027 Growth
+55.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Hawaii (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,270 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,950 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,710 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,410 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,948 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,839 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,196 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,067 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,096 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hawaii metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 40.0% from $37,270 (2019) to $52,196 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,096 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,826 (55.88%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hawaii 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Hawaii
Lowest Paying Cities in Hawaii
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Urban Honolulu | $50,714 |
| Hilo | $56,587 |
| Pearl City | $57,878 |
| Kahului | $57,972 |
| Waipahu | $58,434 |
Best Value Cities for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Hawaii
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Hawaii cities offer the most purchasing power for veterinary technologists and technicians.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu | $63,453 | 119.3 | $53,188 |
| Kahului | $57,972 | 109.393 | $52,994 |
| Kaneohe | $59,257 | 119.3 | $49,671 |
| Mililani Town | $59,151 | 119.3 | $49,582 |
| Kailua | $59,114 | 119.3 | $49,551 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Hawaii
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $41,278 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $55,067 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $72,204 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Hawaii metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 10 Cities in Hawaii
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Honolulu | $63,453 |
| 2 | Kaneohe | $59,257 |
| 3 | Mililani Town | $59,151 |
| 4 | Kailua | $59,114 |
| 5 | East Honolulu | $58,456 |
| 6 | Waipahu | $58,434 |
| 7 | Kahului | $57,972 |
| 8 | Pearl City | $57,878 |
| 9 | Hilo | $56,587 |
| 10 | Urban Honolulu | $50,714 |
More Hawaii Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore veterinary technologist and technician hourly pay in Hawaii cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new veterinary technologists and technicians.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced veterinary technologists and technicians.
Explore More Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinary technologists and technicians make in Hawaii in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for veterinary technologists and technicians in Hawaii?
How does Hawaii veterinary technologist and technician pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level veterinary technologist and technician salary in Hawaii?
How many veterinary technologists and technicians are employed in Hawaii?
Which Hawaii city offers the best value for veterinary technologists and technicians?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 veterinary technologist and technician compensation across Hawaii. State averages are employment-weighted across 10 metro areas — larger metro areas with more veterinary technologists and technicianscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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