Vet Tech salary

Bowling Green vs Lexington: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Bowling Green, KY and Lexington, KY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bowling Green, KY
$37,938
$18.24/hr
Lexington, KY
$45,819
$22.03/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBowling Green, KYLexington, KY
Median Salary$37,938$45,819
Hourly Rate$18.24$22.03
Entry Level (P10)$29,614$38,254
25th Percentile$31,787$41,377
75th Percentile$46,842$50,376
Top Earner (P90)$50,218$60,051
Total Employed60550
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bowling Green ($37,938) and Lexington ($45,819) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.Bowling GreenLexingtonMedian Salary$37,938$45,819Entry Level (P10)$29,614$38,254Top Earner (P90)$50,218$60,051US Median $49,986

Verdict

Lexington, KY offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Bowling Green.

The salary gap between Bowling Green and Lexington is $7,881 (20.77%). Lexington's median is -8.34% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bowling Green spans $20,604,Lexington spans $21,797. Lexington has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Bowling Green
P10 (Entry)$29,614
P25$31,787
Median$37,938
P75$46,842
P90 (Top)$50,218
Lexington
P10 (Entry)$38,254
P25$41,377
Median$45,819
P75$50,376
P90 (Top)$60,051

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lexington ($49,327 effective) pays 17.25% more than Bowling Green ($42,070 effective).

Bowling Green
Nominal: $37,938
CoL Index: 90.179
Adjusted: $42,070
Lexington
Nominal: $45,819
CoL Index: 92.889
Adjusted: $49,327

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bowling Green if…

  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Choose Lexington if…

  • Higher median salary ($45,819/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($60,051)
  • Larger job market (550 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $49,327)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Bowling Green grew 24.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 13.9% growth in Lexington over the same period.

Bowling Green, KY

+24.4%

$28,910 (2019) → $35,960 (2025)

Lexington, KY

+13.9%

$38,130 (2019) → $43,430 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Bowling Green or Lexington?

Lexington has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $45,819/year, compared to Bowling Green at $37,938/year — a difference of $7,881 (20.77%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bowling Green and Lexington?

Bowling Green veterinary technologist and technicians earn $18.24/hr while Lexington hygienists earn $22.03/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bowling Green to Lexington as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bowling Green and Lexington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bowling Green = $42,070, Lexington = $49,327), job availability (60 vs 550 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Bowling Green vs Lexington?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $29,614 in Bowling Green and $38,254 in Lexington. The Lexington 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