Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Hammond, LA: $36,398 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Hammond, LA earns a median $36,398/year (≈ $17.50/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Hammond's price level (16% below national, BEA RPP 84.5), that paycheck buys what $43,095 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Louisiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the veterinary technologist and technician salary in Hammond, LA, has a median annual figure of $36,398, which is significantly lower than the national average of $49,986. This local salary range varies from $25,805 at the 10th percentile to $42,232 at the 90th percentile, revealing a diverse pay gradient influenced by various employment settings. This data is derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and illustrates the economic landscape facing professionals in this field. Specialty hospitals often offer higher compensation compared to general practice settings, creating distinct career paths within the local job market for veterinary technologists and technicians.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25,805 | $12.41 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31,217 | $15.01 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $36,398 | $17.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38,075 | $18.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42,232 | $20.31 |
Median Salary Position
27.18% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hammond
In Hammond, LA, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $16,427 (2026 est.). At $36,398, the local median is 27.18% below the national median of $49,986.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hammond: You'd be above the median
How Hammond Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
Hammond median: $36,398/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hammond Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $37,140 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $49,986 | -27.18% less |
Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Hammond, LA earn a median of $36,398 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.18% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 2.00% below the Louisiana state average of $37,140.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hammond has a cost of living 15.54% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hammond, LA has a cost-of-living index of 84.46 (below the national average of 100). A veterinary technologist and technician earning $36,398 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $43,095 in an average-cost city — an effective 18.4% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$25,718
2025 BLS Actual
$34,500
2026 Current Est.
$36,398
2019–2027 Growth
+49.3%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Hammond (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25,718 | Actual |
| 2020 | $26,403 | Actual |
| 2021 | $26,833 | Actual |
| 2022 | $27,845 | Actual |
| 2023 | $31,850 | Actual |
| 2024 | $29,920 | Actual |
| 2025 | $34,500 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36,398 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38,399 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hammond metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 34.1% from $25,718 (2019) to $34,500 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $38,399 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,681 (49.31%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hammond 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $25,805 – $31,217 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $31,217 – $36,398 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $36,398 – $38,075 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $38,075 – $42,232 |
Vet Tech salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinary technologist and technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Job Market in Hammond
The local job market employs around 70 veterinary technologists and technicians, highlighting moderate demand in Hammond. With a cost-of-living index of 84.46, the effective purchasing power of these salaries may be more favorable than they appear. Employers in Hammond that typically offer competitive pay include corporate chain hospitals like VCA and BluePearl, as well as specialty referral hospitals which focus on specific medical areas such as emergency care and internal medicine. Factors determining pay levels include the presence of specialty credentials such as VTS, which can lead to higher wages, especially in command of $30-$45+/hr for those engaging in fields like emergency and critical care. As the veterinary workforce experiences heightened demand, pursuing specialty certification via pathways recognized by NAVTA or AVMA CVTEA can be an effective strategy for maximizing earnings in this evolving market.
More salary data for Hammond, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can veterinary technologists and technicians make $100K in Hammond?
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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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $34,500 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Hammond metropolitan area. A 5.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 2-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