Vet Tech salary

Houston vs Wichita Falls: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

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

Houston, TX
$46,536
$22.38/hr
Wichita Falls, TX
$40,648
$19.54/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXWichita Falls, TX
Median Salary$46,536$40,648
Hourly Rate$22.38$19.54
Entry Level (P10)$32,958$29,559
25th Percentile$38,687$33,924
75th Percentile$49,764$49,141
Top Earner (P90)$59,470$53,406
Total Employed3,57020
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($46,536) and Wichita Falls ($40,648) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.HoustonWichita FallsMedian Salary$46,536$40,648Entry Level (P10)$32,958$29,559Top Earner (P90)$59,470$53,406US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Houston and Wichita Falls is $5,888 (14.49%). 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,Wichita Falls spans $23,847. 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
Wichita Falls
P10 (Entry)$29,559
P25$33,924
Median$40,648
P75$49,141
P90 (Top)$53,406

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($47,183 effective) pays 11.43% more than Wichita Falls ($42,342 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $46,536
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $47,183
Wichita Falls
Nominal: $40,648
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $42,342

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 Wichita Falls 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 34.5% growth in Wichita Falls over the same period.

Houston, TX

+57.6%

$27,990 (2019) → $44,110 (2025)

Wichita Falls, TX

+34.5%

$28,640 (2019) → $38,529 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Houston has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $46,536/year, compared to Wichita Falls at $40,648/year — a difference of $5,888 (14.49%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and Wichita Falls?

Houston veterinary technologist and technicians earn $22.38/hr while Wichita Falls hygienists earn $19.54/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and Wichita Falls. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $47,183, Wichita Falls = $42,342), job availability (3,570 vs 20 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $32,958 in Houston and $29,559 in Wichita Falls. 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