Vet Tech salary

Austin vs The Woodlands: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

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

Austin, TX
$47,581
$22.87/hr
The Woodlands, TX
$45,979
$22.10/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAustin, TXThe Woodlands, TX
Median Salary$47,581$45,979
Hourly Rate$22.87$22.10
Entry Level (P10)$37,263$34,895
25th Percentile$38,708$37,884
75th Percentile$50,851$56,785
Top Earner (P90)$57,571$62,669
Total Employed1,87021
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Austin ($47,581) and The Woodlands ($45,979) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.AustinThe WoodlandsMedian Salary$47,581$45,979Entry Level (P10)$37,263$34,895Top Earner (P90)$57,571$62,669US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Austin and The Woodlands is $1,602 (3.48%). 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,The Woodlands spans $27,774. The Woodlands 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
The Woodlands
P10 (Entry)$34,895
P25$37,884
Median$45,979
P75$56,785
P90 (Top)$62,669

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Austin ($48,519 effective) pays 1.30% more than The Woodlands ($47,895 effective).

Austin
Nominal: $47,581
CoL Index: 98.066
Adjusted: $48,519
The Woodlands
Nominal: $45,979
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $47,895

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 The Woodlands if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($62,669)
  • 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 19.7% growth in The Woodlands over the same period.

Austin, TX

+43.6%

$31,400 (2019) → $45,100 (2025)

The Woodlands, TX

+19.7%

$36,404 (2024) → $43,582 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Austin has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $47,581/year, compared to The Woodlands at $45,979/year — a difference of $1,602 (3.48%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Austin and The Woodlands?

Austin veterinary technologist and technicians earn $22.87/hr while The Woodlands hygienists earn $22.10/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Austin and The Woodlands. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Austin = $48,519, The Woodlands = $47,895), job availability (1,870 vs 21 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $37,263 in Austin and $34,895 in The Woodlands. 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