Vet Tech salary

Austin vs College Station: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Austin, TX and College Station, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Austin, TX
$47,581
$22.87/hr
College Station, TX
$47,317
$22.75/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAustin, TXCollege Station, TX
Median Salary$47,581$47,317
Hourly Rate$22.87$22.75
Entry Level (P10)$37,263$31,808
25th Percentile$38,708$39,700
75th Percentile$50,851$52,666
Top Earner (P90)$57,571$66,729
Total Employed1,870400
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Austin ($47,581) and College Station ($47,317) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.AustinCollege StationMedian Salary$47,581$47,317Entry Level (P10)$37,263$31,808Top Earner (P90)$57,571$66,729US Median $49,986

Verdict

Austin, TX offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to College Station.

The salary gap between Austin and College Station is $264 (0.56%). Austin's median is -4.81% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Austin spans $20,308,College Station spans $34,921. College Station has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Austin
P10 (Entry)$37,263
P25$38,708
Median$47,581
P75$50,851
P90 (Top)$57,571
College Station
P10 (Entry)$31,808
P25$39,700
Median$47,317
P75$52,666
P90 (Top)$66,729

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, College Station ($52,025 effective) pays 7.22% more than Austin ($48,519 effective).

Austin
Nominal: $47,581
CoL Index: 98.066
Adjusted: $48,519
College Station
Nominal: $47,317
CoL Index: 90.951
Adjusted: $52,025

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Austin if…

  • Higher median salary ($47,581/year)
  • Larger job market (1,870 employed)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose College Station if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($66,729)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $52,025)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Austin grew 43.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 30.2% growth in College Station over the same period.

Austin, TX

+43.6%

$31,400 (2019) → $45,100 (2025)

College Station, TX

+30.2%

$34,450 (2019) → $44,850 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Austin or College Station?

Austin has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $47,581/year, compared to College Station at $47,317/year — a difference of $264 (0.56%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Austin and College Station?

Austin veterinary technologist and technicians earn $22.87/hr while College Station hygienists earn $22.75/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Austin to College Station as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Austin and College Station. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Austin = $48,519, College Station = $52,025), job availability (1,870 vs 400 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Austin vs College Station?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $37,263 in Austin and $31,808 in College Station. The Austin area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

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.

Clinically reviewed by Sofia Patel, RVTData verified by Mark Chen, LVT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.50% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

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