Vet Tech salary

Houston vs North Richland Hills: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

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

Houston, TX
$46,536
$22.38/hr
North Richland Hills, TX
$38,405
$18.46/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXNorth Richland Hills, TX
Median Salary$46,536$38,405
Hourly Rate$22.38$18.46
Entry Level (P10)$32,958$29,307
25th Percentile$38,687$30,683
75th Percentile$49,764$46,529
Top Earner (P90)$59,470$50,595
Total Employed3,57017
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($46,536) and North Richland Hills ($38,405) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.HoustonNorth Richland HillsMedian Salary$46,536$38,405Entry Level (P10)$32,958$29,307Top Earner (P90)$59,470$50,595US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Houston and North Richland Hills is $8,131 (21.17%). 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,North Richland Hills spans $21,288. 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
North Richland Hills
P10 (Entry)$29,307
P25$30,683
Median$38,405
P75$46,529
P90 (Top)$50,595

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($47,183 effective) pays 17.94% more than North Richland Hills ($40,005 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $46,536
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $47,183
North Richland Hills
Nominal: $38,405
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $40,005

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 North Richland Hills 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 North Richland Hills over the same period.

Houston, TX

+57.6%

$27,990 (2019) → $44,110 (2025)

North Richland Hills, TX

+3.0%

$35,342 (2024) → $36,403 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Houston or North Richland Hills?

Houston has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $46,536/year, compared to North Richland Hills at $38,405/year — a difference of $8,131 (21.17%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and North Richland Hills?

Houston veterinary technologist and technicians earn $22.38/hr while North Richland Hills hygienists earn $18.46/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Houston to North Richland Hills as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and North Richland Hills. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $47,183, North Richland Hills = $40,005), job availability (3,570 vs 17 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Houston vs North Richland Hills?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $32,958 in Houston and $29,307 in North Richland Hills. 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