Vet Tech salary

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

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

Clarksville, TN
$40,290
$19.37/hr
Knoxville, TN
$52,761
$25.36/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricClarksville, TNKnoxville, TN
Median Salary$40,290$52,761
Hourly Rate$19.37$25.36
Entry Level (P10)$30,722$37,368
25th Percentile$37,358$40,354
75th Percentile$49,216$64,376
Top Earner (P90)$51,727$64,376
Total Employed70340
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Clarksville ($40,290) and Knoxville ($52,761) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.ClarksvilleKnoxvilleMedian Salary$40,290$52,761Entry Level (P10)$30,722$37,368Top Earner (P90)$51,727$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 Clarksville.

The salary gap between Clarksville and Knoxville is $12,471 (30.95%). 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 Clarksville spans $21,005,Knoxville spans $27,008. Knoxville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Clarksville
P10 (Entry)$30,722
P25$37,358
Median$40,290
P75$49,216
P90 (Top)$51,727
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 28.66% more than Clarksville ($44,301 effective).

Clarksville
Nominal: $40,290
CoL Index: 90.947
Adjusted: $44,301
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 Clarksville 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 Clarksville grew 44.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 80.5% growth in Knoxville over the same period.

Clarksville, TN

+44.9%

$26,360 (2019) → $38,190 (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: Clarksville or Knoxville?

Knoxville has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $52,761/year, compared to Clarksville at $40,290/year — a difference of $12,471 (30.95%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Clarksville and Knoxville?

Clarksville veterinary technologist and technicians earn $19.37/hr while Knoxville hygienists earn $25.36/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Clarksville and Knoxville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Clarksville = $44,301, Knoxville = $56,996), job availability (70 vs 340 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $30,722 in Clarksville 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