Vet Tech salary

Austin vs Dallas: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

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

Austin, TX
$47,581
$22.87/hr
Dallas, TX
$46,800
$22.50/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAustin, TXDallas, TX
Median Salary$47,581$46,800
Hourly Rate$22.87$22.50
Entry Level (P10)$37,263$36,334
25th Percentile$38,708$38,455
75th Percentile$50,851$49,395
Top Earner (P90)$57,571$61,296
Total Employed1,8704,570
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Austin ($47,581) and Dallas ($46,800) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.AustinDallasMedian Salary$47,581$46,800Entry Level (P10)$37,263$36,334Top Earner (P90)$57,571$61,296US Median $49,986

Verdict

Austin and Dallas are closely matched on overall veterinary technologist and technician compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Austin and Dallas is $781 (1.67%). 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,Dallas spans $24,962. Dallas 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
Dallas
P10 (Entry)$36,334
P25$38,455
Median$46,800
P75$49,395
P90 (Top)$61,296

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Austin ($48,519 effective) pays 6.88% more than Dallas ($45,397 effective).

Austin
Nominal: $47,581
CoL Index: 98.066
Adjusted: $48,519
Dallas
Nominal: $46,800
CoL Index: 103.09
Adjusted: $45,397

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)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $48,519)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Dallas if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($61,296)
  • Larger job market (4,570 employed)
  • 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 29.2% growth in Dallas over the same period.

Austin, TX

+43.6%

$31,400 (2019) → $45,100 (2025)

Dallas, TX

+29.2%

$34,340 (2019) → $44,360 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Austin has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $47,581/year, compared to Dallas at $46,800/year — a difference of $781 (1.67%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Austin and Dallas?

Austin veterinary technologist and technicians earn $22.87/hr while Dallas hygienists earn $22.50/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Austin and Dallas. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Austin = $48,519, Dallas = $45,397), job availability (1,870 vs 4,570 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $37,263 in Austin and $36,334 in Dallas. 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