Vet Tech salary

Brentwood vs Knoxville: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Brentwood, TN and Knoxville, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Brentwood, TN
$40,412
$19.43/hr
Knoxville, TN
$52,761
$25.36/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBrentwood, TNKnoxville, TN
Median Salary$40,412$52,761
Hourly Rate$19.43$25.36
Entry Level (P10)$32,847$37,368
25th Percentile$33,561$40,354
75th Percentile$48,976$64,376
Top Earner (P90)$52,883$64,376
Total Employed7340
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Brentwood ($40,412) and Knoxville ($52,761) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.BrentwoodKnoxvilleMedian Salary$40,412$52,761Entry Level (P10)$32,847$37,368Top Earner (P90)$52,883$64,376US Median $49,986

Verdict

Knoxville, TN offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Brentwood.

The salary gap between Brentwood and Knoxville is $12,349 (30.56%). Knoxville's median is +5.55% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Brentwood spans $20,036,Knoxville spans $27,008. Knoxville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Brentwood
P10 (Entry)$32,847
P25$33,561
Median$40,412
P75$48,976
P90 (Top)$52,883
Knoxville
P10 (Entry)$37,368
P25$40,354
Median$52,761
P75$64,376
P90 (Top)$64,376

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Knoxville ($56,996 effective) pays 29.47% more than Brentwood ($44,022 effective).

Brentwood
Nominal: $40,412
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $44,022
Knoxville
Nominal: $52,761
CoL Index: 92.569
Adjusted: $56,996

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Brentwood if…

  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Knoxville if…

  • Higher median salary ($52,761/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($64,376)
  • Larger job market (340 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $56,996)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Brentwood grew 27.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 80.5% growth in Knoxville over the same period.

Brentwood, TN

+27.2%

$30,107 (2024) → $38,305 (2025)

Knoxville, TN

+80.5%

$27,710 (2019) → $50,010 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Brentwood or Knoxville?

Knoxville has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $52,761/year, compared to Brentwood at $40,412/year — a difference of $12,349 (30.56%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Brentwood and Knoxville?

Brentwood veterinary technologist and technicians earn $19.43/hr while Knoxville hygienists earn $25.36/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Brentwood to Knoxville as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Brentwood and Knoxville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Brentwood = $44,022, Knoxville = $56,996), job availability (7 vs 340 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Brentwood vs Knoxville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $32,847 in Brentwood and $37,368 in Knoxville. The Knoxville 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