Vet Tech salary

Houston vs San Juan: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

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

Houston, TX
$46,536
$22.38/hr
San Juan, TX
$37,974
$18.25/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXSan Juan, TX
Median Salary$46,536$37,974
Hourly Rate$22.38$18.25
Entry Level (P10)$32,958$30,436
25th Percentile$38,687$32,061
75th Percentile$49,764$46,532
Top Earner (P90)$59,470$50,529
Total Employed3,5709
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($46,536) and San Juan ($37,974) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.HoustonSan JuanMedian Salary$46,536$37,974Entry Level (P10)$32,958$30,436Top Earner (P90)$59,470$50,529US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Houston and San Juan is $8,562 (22.55%). 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,San Juan spans $20,093. 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
San Juan
P10 (Entry)$30,436
P25$32,061
Median$37,974
P75$46,532
P90 (Top)$50,529

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($47,183 effective) pays 19.28% more than San Juan ($39,556 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $46,536
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $47,183
San Juan
Nominal: $37,974
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $39,556

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 San Juan 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 San Juan over the same period.

Houston, TX

+57.6%

$27,990 (2019) → $44,110 (2025)

San Juan, TX

+3.0%

$34,945 (2024) → $35,994 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Houston has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $46,536/year, compared to San Juan at $37,974/year — a difference of $8,562 (22.55%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and San Juan?

Houston veterinary technologist and technicians earn $22.38/hr while San Juan hygienists earn $18.25/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and San Juan. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $47,183, San Juan = $39,556), job availability (3,570 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $32,958 in Houston and $30,436 in San Juan. 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