Vet Tech salary

Austin vs El Paso: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

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

Austin, TX
$47,581
$22.87/hr
El Paso, TX
$38,233
$18.38/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAustin, TXEl Paso, TX
Median Salary$47,581$38,233
Hourly Rate$22.87$18.38
Entry Level (P10)$37,263$29,656
25th Percentile$38,708$31,481
75th Percentile$50,851$44,911
Top Earner (P90)$57,571$50,313
Total Employed1,870250
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Austin ($47,581) and El Paso ($38,233) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.AustinEl PasoMedian Salary$47,581$38,233Entry Level (P10)$37,263$29,656Top Earner (P90)$57,571$50,313US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Austin and El Paso is $9,348 (24.45%). 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,El Paso spans $20,657. El Paso 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
El Paso
P10 (Entry)$29,656
P25$31,481
Median$38,233
P75$44,911
P90 (Top)$50,313

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Austin ($48,519 effective) pays 14.10% more than El Paso ($42,523 effective).

Austin
Nominal: $47,581
CoL Index: 98.066
Adjusted: $48,519
El Paso
Nominal: $38,233
CoL Index: 89.912
Adjusted: $42,523

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 top-earner potential ($57,571)
  • Larger job market (1,870 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $48,519)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose El Paso if…

  • 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 32.5% growth in El Paso over the same period.

Austin, TX

+43.6%

$31,400 (2019) → $45,100 (2025)

El Paso, TX

+32.5%

$27,350 (2019) → $36,240 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Austin has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $47,581/year, compared to El Paso at $38,233/year — a difference of $9,348 (24.45%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Austin and El Paso?

Austin veterinary technologist and technicians earn $22.87/hr while El Paso hygienists earn $18.38/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Austin and El Paso. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Austin = $48,519, El Paso = $42,523), job availability (1,870 vs 250 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $37,263 in Austin and $29,656 in El Paso. 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