Vet Tech salary

Houston vs Pharr: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

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

Houston, TX
$46,536
$22.38/hr
Pharr, TX
$39,373
$18.93/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXPharr, TX
Median Salary$46,536$39,373
Hourly Rate$22.38$18.93
Entry Level (P10)$32,958$28,448
25th Percentile$38,687$33,481
75th Percentile$49,764$48,926
Top Earner (P90)$59,470$53,709
Total Employed3,57018
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($46,536) and Pharr ($39,373) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.HoustonPharrMedian Salary$46,536$39,373Entry Level (P10)$32,958$28,448Top Earner (P90)$59,470$53,709US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Houston and Pharr is $7,163 (18.19%). 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,Pharr spans $25,261. 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
Pharr
P10 (Entry)$28,448
P25$33,481
Median$39,373
P75$48,926
P90 (Top)$53,709

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($47,183 effective) pays 15.04% more than Pharr ($41,014 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $46,536
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $47,183
Pharr
Nominal: $39,373
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $41,014

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 Pharr 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 Pharr over the same period.

Houston, TX

+57.6%

$27,990 (2019) → $44,110 (2025)

Pharr, TX

+3.0%

$36,232 (2024) → $37,320 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Houston has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $46,536/year, compared to Pharr at $39,373/year — a difference of $7,163 (18.19%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and Pharr?

Houston veterinary technologist and technicians earn $22.38/hr while Pharr hygienists earn $18.93/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and Pharr. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $47,183, Pharr = $41,014), job availability (3,570 vs 18 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $32,958 in Houston and $28,448 in Pharr. 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