Vet Tech salary

Fort Worth vs Houston: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

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

Fort Worth, TX
$46,495
$22.36/hr
Houston, TX
$46,536
$22.38/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFort Worth, TXHouston, TX
Median Salary$46,495$46,536
Hourly Rate$22.36$22.38
Entry Level (P10)$34,845$32,958
25th Percentile$38,054$38,687
75th Percentile$58,571$49,764
Top Earner (P90)$65,768$59,470
Total Employed2193,570
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fort Worth ($46,495) and Houston ($46,536) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.Fort WorthHoustonMedian Salary$46,495$46,536Entry Level (P10)$34,845$32,958Top Earner (P90)$65,768$59,470US Median $49,986

Verdict

Houston, TX offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Fort Worth.

The salary gap between Fort Worth and Houston is $41 (0.09%). Houston's median is -6.90% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fort Worth spans $30,923,Houston spans $26,512. Fort Worth has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Fort Worth
P10 (Entry)$34,845
P25$38,054
Median$46,495
P75$58,571
P90 (Top)$65,768
Houston
P10 (Entry)$32,958
P25$38,687
Median$46,536
P75$49,764
P90 (Top)$59,470

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fort Worth ($48,432 effective) pays 2.65% more than Houston ($47,183 effective).

Fort Worth
Nominal: $46,495
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $48,432
Houston
Nominal: $46,536
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $47,183

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fort Worth if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($65,768)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $48,432)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($46,536/year)
  • Larger job market (3,570 employed)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Fort Worth grew 12.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 57.6% growth in Houston over the same period.

Fort Worth, TX

+12.6%

$39,142 (2024) → $44,071 (2025)

Houston, TX

+57.6%

$27,990 (2019) → $44,110 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Fort Worth or Houston?

Houston has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $46,536/year, compared to Fort Worth at $46,495/year — a difference of $41 (0.09%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fort Worth and Houston?

Fort Worth veterinary technologist and technicians earn $22.36/hr while Houston hygienists earn $22.38/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fort Worth to Houston as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fort Worth and Houston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fort Worth = $48,432, Houston = $47,183), job availability (219 vs 3,570 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Fort Worth vs Houston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $34,845 in Fort Worth and $32,958 in Houston. The Fort Worth 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