Vet Tech salary

Dallas vs Richardson: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Dallas, TX and Richardson, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Dallas, TX
$46,800
$22.50/hr
Richardson, TX
$40,132
$19.30/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDallas, TXRichardson, TX
Median Salary$46,800$40,132
Hourly Rate$22.50$19.30
Entry Level (P10)$36,334$28,372
25th Percentile$38,455$33,749
75th Percentile$49,395$48,778
Top Earner (P90)$61,296$53,168
Total Employed4,57024
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dallas ($46,800) and Richardson ($40,132) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.DallasRichardsonMedian Salary$46,800$40,132Entry Level (P10)$36,334$28,372Top Earner (P90)$61,296$53,168US Median $49,986

Verdict

Dallas, TX offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Richardson.

The salary gap between Dallas and Richardson is $6,668 (16.62%). Dallas's median is -6.37% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Dallas spans $24,962,Richardson spans $24,796. Dallas has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Dallas
P10 (Entry)$36,334
P25$38,455
Median$46,800
P75$49,395
P90 (Top)$61,296
Richardson
P10 (Entry)$28,372
P25$33,749
Median$40,132
P75$48,778
P90 (Top)$53,168

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Dallas ($45,397 effective) pays 8.59% more than Richardson ($41,804 effective).

Dallas
Nominal: $46,800
CoL Index: 103.09
Adjusted: $45,397
Richardson
Nominal: $40,132
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $41,804

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Dallas if…

  • Higher median salary ($46,800/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($61,296)
  • Larger job market (4,570 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $45,397)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Richardson if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Dallas grew 29.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 3.0% growth in Richardson over the same period.

Dallas, TX

+29.2%

$34,340 (2019) → $44,360 (2025)

Richardson, TX

+3.0%

$36,932 (2024) → $38,040 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Dallas or Richardson?

Dallas has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $46,800/year, compared to Richardson at $40,132/year — a difference of $6,668 (16.62%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dallas and Richardson?

Dallas veterinary technologist and technicians earn $22.50/hr while Richardson hygienists earn $19.30/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Dallas to Richardson as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dallas and Richardson. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dallas = $45,397, Richardson = $41,804), job availability (4,570 vs 24 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Dallas vs Richardson?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $36,334 in Dallas and $28,372 in Richardson. The Dallas area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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