Vet Tech salary

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

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

Collierville, TN
$41,988
$20.18/hr
Knoxville, TN
$52,761
$25.36/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCollierville, TNKnoxville, TN
Median Salary$41,988$52,761
Hourly Rate$20.18$25.36
Entry Level (P10)$30,779$37,368
25th Percentile$33,645$40,354
75th Percentile$50,970$64,376
Top Earner (P90)$53,951$64,376
Total Employed8340
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Collierville ($41,988) and Knoxville ($52,761) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.ColliervilleKnoxvilleMedian Salary$41,988$52,761Entry Level (P10)$30,779$37,368Top Earner (P90)$53,951$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 Collierville.

The salary gap between Collierville and Knoxville is $10,773 (25.66%). 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 Collierville spans $23,172,Knoxville spans $27,008. Knoxville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Collierville
P10 (Entry)$30,779
P25$33,645
Median$41,988
P75$50,970
P90 (Top)$53,951
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 24.61% more than Collierville ($45,739 effective).

Collierville
Nominal: $41,988
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $45,739
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 Collierville 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 Collierville grew 27.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 80.5% growth in Knoxville over the same period.

Collierville, TN

+27.2%

$31,282 (2024) → $39,799 (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: Collierville or Knoxville?

Knoxville has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $52,761/year, compared to Collierville at $41,988/year — a difference of $10,773 (25.66%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Collierville and Knoxville?

Collierville veterinary technologist and technicians earn $20.18/hr while Knoxville hygienists earn $25.36/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Collierville and Knoxville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Collierville = $45,739, Knoxville = $56,996), job availability (8 vs 340 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $30,779 in Collierville 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