Dialysis Technician Hourly Pay in Hickory, NC: $19.49 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a dialysis technician working in Hickory, NC runs $19.49 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $40,528 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2099). Weighted against Hickory's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.5, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $22.02 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $24,322 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Hickory, North Carolina, dialysis technicians earn a median hourly rate of $19.49, which falls short of the national median of $21.79. This compensation reflects the local healthcare environment, particularly in outpatient dialysis clinics, home training programs, and hospital settings. Entry-level technicians can expect to start at around $16.21, while top earners in the field can make up to $32.78 per hour. For those considering part-time opportunities, which typically involve working three days a week, the potential earnings can still be substantial, especially if the role allows for per-diem work. Official BLS data indicates that the hourly pay rates can vary significantly by experience and employer, providing options for those looking to balance work with other commitments.
Dialysis Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.21 | $129.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $16.82 | $134.53 |
| Median (P50) | $19.49 | $155.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $24.65 | $197.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $32.78 | $262.25 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Hickory
Based on $19.49/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $19.49/hr, a dialysis technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Hickory, NC can expect to earn approximately $40,536 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $23,386. With a cost-of-living index of 88.49 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Hickory.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Hickory
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $779.54 | $3,378 | $40,536 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $467.73 | $2,027 | $24,322 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $311.82 | $1,351 | $16,215 |
Compare DT Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Dialysis Technician (Hickory) | $19.49 |
| Nursing Assistant (National Avg) | $18.62 |
| Medical Lab Technician (National Avg) | $28.18 |
| Licensed Practical Nurse (National Avg) | $29.71 |
| Phlebotomist (National Avg) | $20.69 |
Dialysis Technicians in Hickory, NC earn a median of $40,528 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.58% lower than the national median of $45,322 and 1.70% below the North Carolina state average of $41,229.
Dialysis Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $19.49/hr = $24,322/year (purchasing power: $27,487).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $40,536/year (purchasing power: $45,811).
CoL index: 88.486 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2021 BLS Actual
$17.67/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$19.03/hr
2026 Current Est.
$19.49/hr
2021–2027 Growth
+13.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Dialysis Technicians in Hickory (2021–2027)
2021–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.41% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $17.67/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $17.95/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.76/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.23/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $19.03/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $19.49/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $19.96/hr | Projected |
Based on 5 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for dialysis technicians in Hickory grew 7.7% from $17.67/hr (2021) to $19.03/hr (2025). At a 2.41% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $19.96/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem dialysis technicians can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2021–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hickory 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 2.41% CAGR derived from 5-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Dialysis Technician in Hickory
When examining the overall earnings potential of dialysis technicians, part-time employees working on a three-day schedule may take home a net income that contrasts sharply with their full-time counterparts. Often, per-diem dialysis technicians in Hickory command rates ranging from $25 to $38 per hour, while home dialysis trainers may see pay between $30 and $45 per hour in chain settings. Travel contracts for dialysis technicians, though less frequent compared to nursing, can offer lucrative weekly wages between $1,200 and $1,800. Those employed by outpatient dialysis chains, such as Fresenius and DaVita, make up a significant portion of the workforce, influencing the prevailing pay scales. Some technicians may choose to accept lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance, balancing their immediate financial needs with longer-term security. Negotiating hourly pay requires an understanding of local market rates and employer practices; awareness of these factors can help technicians secure a more competitive wage in Hickory’s current job market.
More salary data for Hickory, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for dialysis technicians in Hickory in 2026?
How much do part-time dialysis technicians make in Hickory?
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Written by Jessica Tran, CCRN
Career Analyst
Jessica has over 10 years as a dialysis technician. She specializes in chronic kidney disease management. She works at a community hospital.
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 2.41% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for dialysis technicians in Hickory. 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, 5-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 2.41%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for dialysis technicians (SOC 29-2099).
Compiled and verified by Jessica Tran, CCRN, a licensed dialysis technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov