Vet Tech salary

Austin vs Wichita Falls: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

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

Austin, TX
$47,581
$22.87/hr
Wichita Falls, TX
$40,648
$19.54/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAustin, TXWichita Falls, TX
Median Salary$47,581$40,648
Hourly Rate$22.87$19.54
Entry Level (P10)$37,263$29,559
25th Percentile$38,708$33,924
75th Percentile$50,851$49,141
Top Earner (P90)$57,571$53,406
Total Employed1,87020
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Austin ($47,581) and Wichita Falls ($40,648) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.AustinWichita FallsMedian Salary$47,581$40,648Entry Level (P10)$37,263$29,559Top Earner (P90)$57,571$53,406US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Austin and Wichita Falls is $6,933 (17.06%). 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,Wichita Falls spans $23,847. Wichita Falls 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
Wichita Falls
P10 (Entry)$29,559
P25$33,924
Median$40,648
P75$49,141
P90 (Top)$53,406

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Austin ($48,519 effective) pays 14.59% more than Wichita Falls ($42,342 effective).

Austin
Nominal: $47,581
CoL Index: 98.066
Adjusted: $48,519
Wichita Falls
Nominal: $40,648
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $42,342

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 Wichita Falls 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 34.5% growth in Wichita Falls over the same period.

Austin, TX

+43.6%

$31,400 (2019) → $45,100 (2025)

Wichita Falls, TX

+34.5%

$28,640 (2019) → $38,529 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Austin has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $47,581/year, compared to Wichita Falls at $40,648/year — a difference of $6,933 (17.06%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Austin and Wichita Falls?

Austin veterinary technologist and technicians earn $22.87/hr while Wichita Falls hygienists earn $19.54/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Austin and Wichita Falls. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Austin = $48,519, Wichita Falls = $42,342), job availability (1,870 vs 20 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $37,263 in Austin and $29,559 in Wichita Falls. 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