Vet Tech salary

Houma vs Shreveport: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Houma, LA and Shreveport, LA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Houma, LA
$36,609
$17.60/hr
Shreveport, LA
$37,136
$17.85/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouma, LAShreveport, LA
Median Salary$36,609$37,136
Hourly Rate$17.60$17.85
Entry Level (P10)$31,144$26,027
25th Percentile$31,608$31,998
75th Percentile$38,244$38,845
Top Earner (P90)$52,233$49,100
Total Employed50180
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houma ($36,609) and Shreveport ($37,136) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.HoumaShreveportMedian Salary$36,609$37,136Entry Level (P10)$31,144$26,027Top Earner (P90)$52,233$49,100US Median $49,986

Verdict

Shreveport, LA offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Houma.

The salary gap between Houma and Shreveport is $527 (1.44%). Shreveport's median is -25.71% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Houma spans $21,089,Shreveport spans $23,073. Shreveport has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Houma
P10 (Entry)$31,144
P25$31,608
Median$36,609
P75$38,244
P90 (Top)$52,233
Shreveport
P10 (Entry)$26,027
P25$31,998
Median$37,136
P75$38,845
P90 (Top)$49,100

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Shreveport ($43,810 effective) pays 1.84% more than Houma ($43,017 effective).

Houma
Nominal: $36,609
CoL Index: 85.103
Adjusted: $43,017
Shreveport
Nominal: $37,136
CoL Index: 84.766
Adjusted: $43,810

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Houma if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($52,233)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Choose Shreveport if…

  • Higher median salary ($37,136/year)
  • Larger job market (180 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $43,810)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Houma grew 19.6% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 41.9% growth in Shreveport over the same period.

Houma, LA

+19.6%

$29,020 (2021) → $34,700 (2025)

Shreveport, LA

+41.9%

$24,810 (2019) → $35,200 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Houma or Shreveport?

Shreveport has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $37,136/year, compared to Houma at $36,609/year — a difference of $527 (1.44%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houma and Shreveport?

Houma veterinary technologist and technicians earn $17.60/hr while Shreveport hygienists earn $17.85/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Houma to Shreveport as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houma and Shreveport. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houma = $43,017, Shreveport = $43,810), job availability (50 vs 180 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Houma vs Shreveport?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $31,144 in Houma and $26,027 in Shreveport. The Houma 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