Vet Tech salary

Austin vs San Antonio: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

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

Austin, TX
$47,581
$22.87/hr
San Antonio, TX
$41,736
$20.07/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAustin, TXSan Antonio, TX
Median Salary$47,581$41,736
Hourly Rate$22.87$20.07
Entry Level (P10)$37,263$32,040
25th Percentile$38,708$38,961
75th Percentile$50,851$49,722
Top Earner (P90)$57,571$59,228
Total Employed1,8701,730
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Austin ($47,581) and San Antonio ($41,736) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.AustinSan AntonioMedian Salary$47,581$41,736Entry Level (P10)$37,263$32,040Top Earner (P90)$57,571$59,228US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Austin and San Antonio is $5,845 (14.00%). 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,San Antonio spans $27,188. San Antonio 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
San Antonio
P10 (Entry)$32,040
P25$38,961
Median$41,736
P75$49,722
P90 (Top)$59,228

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Austin ($48,519 effective) pays 10.11% more than San Antonio ($44,064 effective).

Austin
Nominal: $47,581
CoL Index: 98.066
Adjusted: $48,519
San Antonio
Nominal: $41,736
CoL Index: 94.716
Adjusted: $44,064

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

Choose San Antonio if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($59,228)
  • 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 19.1% growth in San Antonio over the same period.

Austin, TX

+43.6%

$31,400 (2019) → $45,100 (2025)

San Antonio, TX

+19.1%

$33,220 (2019) → $39,560 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Austin has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $47,581/year, compared to San Antonio at $41,736/year — a difference of $5,845 (14.00%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Austin and San Antonio?

Austin veterinary technologist and technicians earn $22.87/hr while San Antonio hygienists earn $20.07/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Austin and San Antonio. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Austin = $48,519, San Antonio = $44,064), job availability (1,870 vs 1,730 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $37,263 in Austin and $32,040 in San Antonio. 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