Vet Tech salary

Hattiesburg vs Horn Lake: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Hattiesburg, MS and Horn Lake, MS. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Hattiesburg, MS
$36,967
$17.77/hr
Horn Lake, MS
$41,967
$20.17/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHattiesburg, MSHorn Lake, MS
Median Salary$36,967$41,967
Hourly Rate$17.77$20.17
Entry Level (P10)$31,639$31,681
25th Percentile$32,937$34,030
75th Percentile$39,731$49,183
Top Earner (P90)$41,240$56,077
Total Employed506
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Hattiesburg ($36,967) and Horn Lake ($41,967) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.HattiesburgHorn LakeMedian Salary$36,967$41,967Entry Level (P10)$31,639$31,681Top Earner (P90)$41,240$56,077US Median $49,986

Verdict

Horn Lake, MS offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Hattiesburg.

The salary gap between Hattiesburg and Horn Lake is $5,000 (13.53%). Horn Lake's median is -16.04% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Hattiesburg spans $9,601,Horn Lake spans $24,396. Horn Lake has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Hattiesburg
P10 (Entry)$31,639
P25$32,937
Median$36,967
P75$39,731
P90 (Top)$41,240
Horn Lake
P10 (Entry)$31,681
P25$34,030
Median$41,967
P75$49,183
P90 (Top)$56,077

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Horn Lake ($48,970 effective) pays 16.09% more than Hattiesburg ($42,184 effective).

Hattiesburg
Nominal: $36,967
CoL Index: 87.633
Adjusted: $42,184
Horn Lake
Nominal: $41,967
CoL Index: 85.7
Adjusted: $48,970

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Hattiesburg if…

  • Larger job market (50 employed)
  • You prefer the Mississippi area and lifestyle

Choose Horn Lake if…

  • Higher median salary ($41,967/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($56,077)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $48,970)
  • You prefer the Mississippi area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Hattiesburg grew -35.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 57.9% growth in Horn Lake over the same period.

Hattiesburg, MS

+-35.7%

$54,530 (2019) → $35,040 (2025)

Horn Lake, MS

+57.9%

$25,187 (2024) → $39,779 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Hattiesburg or Horn Lake?

Horn Lake has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $41,967/year, compared to Hattiesburg at $36,967/year — a difference of $5,000 (13.53%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Hattiesburg and Horn Lake?

Hattiesburg veterinary technologist and technicians earn $17.77/hr while Horn Lake hygienists earn $20.17/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Hattiesburg to Horn Lake as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Hattiesburg and Horn Lake. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Hattiesburg = $42,184, Horn Lake = $48,970), job availability (50 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Hattiesburg vs Horn Lake?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $31,639 in Hattiesburg and $31,681 in Horn Lake. The Horn Lake 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