Vet Tech salary

Houston vs Missouri City: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

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

Houston, TX
$46,536
$22.38/hr
Missouri City, TX
$39,695
$19.08/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXMissouri City, TX
Median Salary$46,536$39,695
Hourly Rate$22.38$19.08
Entry Level (P10)$32,958$29,205
25th Percentile$38,687$31,766
75th Percentile$49,764$47,277
Top Earner (P90)$59,470$54,905
Total Employed3,57012
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($46,536) and Missouri City ($39,695) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.HoustonMissouri CityMedian Salary$46,536$39,695Entry Level (P10)$32,958$29,205Top Earner (P90)$59,470$54,905US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Houston and Missouri City is $6,841 (17.23%). 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 Houston spans $26,512,Missouri City spans $25,700. Houston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Houston
P10 (Entry)$32,958
P25$38,687
Median$46,536
P75$49,764
P90 (Top)$59,470
Missouri City
P10 (Entry)$29,205
P25$31,766
Median$39,695
P75$47,277
P90 (Top)$54,905

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($47,183 effective) pays 14.11% more than Missouri City ($41,349 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $46,536
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $47,183
Missouri City
Nominal: $39,695
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $41,349

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($46,536/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($59,470)
  • Larger job market (3,570 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $47,183)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Missouri City 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 Houston grew 57.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 3.0% growth in Missouri City over the same period.

Houston, TX

+57.6%

$27,990 (2019) → $44,110 (2025)

Missouri City, TX

+3.0%

$36,530 (2024) → $37,626 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Houston or Missouri City?

Houston has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $46,536/year, compared to Missouri City at $39,695/year — a difference of $6,841 (17.23%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and Missouri City?

Houston veterinary technologist and technicians earn $22.38/hr while Missouri City hygienists earn $19.08/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Houston to Missouri City as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and Missouri City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $47,183, Missouri City = $41,349), job availability (3,570 vs 12 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Houston vs Missouri City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $32,958 in Houston and $29,205 in Missouri City. The Houston 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