Vet Tech salary

Knoxville vs La Vergne: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Knoxville, TN and La Vergne, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Knoxville, TN
$52,761
$25.36/hr
La Vergne, TN
$40,012
$19.23/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKnoxville, TNLa Vergne, TN
Median Salary$52,761$40,012
Hourly Rate$25.36$19.23
Entry Level (P10)$37,368$31,874
25th Percentile$40,354$33,639
75th Percentile$64,376$48,027
Top Earner (P90)$64,376$51,596
Total Employed3408
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Knoxville ($52,761) and La Vergne ($40,012) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.KnoxvilleLa VergneMedian Salary$52,761$40,012Entry Level (P10)$37,368$31,874Top Earner (P90)$64,376$51,596US Median $49,986

Verdict

Knoxville, TN offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to La Vergne.

The salary gap between Knoxville and La Vergne is $12,749 (31.86%). Knoxville's median is +5.55% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Knoxville spans $27,008,La Vergne spans $19,722. Knoxville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Knoxville
P10 (Entry)$37,368
P25$40,354
Median$52,761
P75$64,376
P90 (Top)$64,376
La Vergne
P10 (Entry)$31,874
P25$33,639
Median$40,012
P75$48,027
P90 (Top)$51,596

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Knoxville ($56,996 effective) pays 30.77% more than La Vergne ($43,586 effective).

Knoxville
Nominal: $52,761
CoL Index: 92.569
Adjusted: $56,996
La Vergne
Nominal: $40,012
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $43,586

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Knoxville if…

  • Higher median salary ($52,761/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($64,376)
  • Larger job market (340 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $56,996)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose La Vergne if…

  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Knoxville grew 80.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 27.2% growth in La Vergne over the same period.

Knoxville, TN

+80.5%

$27,710 (2019) → $50,010 (2025)

La Vergne, TN

+27.2%

$29,809 (2024) → $37,926 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Knoxville or La Vergne?

Knoxville has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $52,761/year, compared to La Vergne at $40,012/year — a difference of $12,749 (31.86%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Knoxville and La Vergne?

Knoxville veterinary technologist and technicians earn $25.36/hr while La Vergne hygienists earn $19.23/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Knoxville to La Vergne as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Knoxville and La Vergne. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Knoxville = $56,996, La Vergne = $43,586), job availability (340 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Knoxville vs La Vergne?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $37,368 in Knoxville and $31,874 in La Vergne. The Knoxville area offers higher starting salaries.
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