Vet Tech salary

Baton Rouge vs Shreveport: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Baton Rouge, LA and Shreveport, LA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Baton Rouge, LA
$37,727
$18.14/hr
Shreveport, LA
$37,136
$17.85/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBaton Rouge, LAShreveport, LA
Median Salary$37,727$37,136
Hourly Rate$18.14$17.85
Entry Level (P10)$30,395$26,027
25th Percentile$36,144$31,998
75th Percentile$48,119$38,845
Top Earner (P90)$51,104$49,100
Total Employed480180
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Baton Rouge ($37,727) and Shreveport ($37,136) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.Baton RougeShreveportMedian Salary$37,727$37,136Entry Level (P10)$30,395$26,027Top Earner (P90)$51,104$49,100US Median $49,986

Verdict

Baton Rouge, LA offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Shreveport.

The salary gap between Baton Rouge and Shreveport is $591 (1.59%). Baton Rouge's median is -24.52% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Baton Rouge spans $20,709,Shreveport spans $23,073. Shreveport has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Baton Rouge
P10 (Entry)$30,395
P25$36,144
Median$37,727
P75$48,119
P90 (Top)$51,104
Shreveport
P10 (Entry)$26,027
P25$31,998
Median$37,136
P75$38,845
P90 (Top)$49,100

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Shreveport ($43,810 effective) pays 5.42% more than Baton Rouge ($41,559 effective).

Baton Rouge
Nominal: $37,727
CoL Index: 90.78
Adjusted: $41,559
Shreveport
Nominal: $37,136
CoL Index: 84.766
Adjusted: $43,810

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Baton Rouge if…

  • Higher median salary ($37,727/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($51,104)
  • Larger job market (480 employed)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Choose Shreveport if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $43,810)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Baton Rouge grew 19.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 41.9% growth in Shreveport over the same period.

Baton Rouge, LA

+19.6%

$29,890 (2019) → $35,760 (2025)

Shreveport, LA

+41.9%

$24,810 (2019) → $35,200 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Baton Rouge or Shreveport?

Baton Rouge has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $37,727/year, compared to Shreveport at $37,136/year — a difference of $591 (1.59%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Baton Rouge and Shreveport?

Baton Rouge veterinary technologist and technicians earn $18.14/hr while Shreveport hygienists earn $17.85/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Baton Rouge to Shreveport as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Baton Rouge and Shreveport. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Baton Rouge = $41,559, Shreveport = $43,810), job availability (480 vs 180 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Baton Rouge vs Shreveport?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $30,395 in Baton Rouge and $26,027 in Shreveport. The Baton Rouge area offers higher starting salaries.
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