Vet Tech salary

Knoxville vs Lebanon: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

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

Knoxville, TN
$52,761
$25.36/hr
Lebanon, TN
$41,107
$19.76/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKnoxville, TNLebanon, TN
Median Salary$52,761$41,107
Hourly Rate$25.36$19.76
Entry Level (P10)$37,368$31,184
25th Percentile$40,354$33,406
75th Percentile$64,376$49,108
Top Earner (P90)$64,376$52,626
Total Employed34010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Knoxville ($52,761) and Lebanon ($41,107) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.KnoxvilleLebanonMedian Salary$52,761$41,107Entry Level (P10)$37,368$31,184Top Earner (P90)$64,376$52,626US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Knoxville and Lebanon is $11,654 (28.35%). 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,Lebanon spans $21,442. 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
Lebanon
P10 (Entry)$31,184
P25$33,406
Median$41,107
P75$49,108
P90 (Top)$52,626

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Knoxville ($56,996 effective) pays 27.28% more than Lebanon ($44,779 effective).

Knoxville
Nominal: $52,761
CoL Index: 92.569
Adjusted: $56,996
Lebanon
Nominal: $41,107
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $44,779

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 Lebanon 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 Lebanon over the same period.

Knoxville, TN

+80.5%

$27,710 (2019) → $50,010 (2025)

Lebanon, TN

+27.2%

$30,626 (2024) → $38,964 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Knoxville has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $52,761/year, compared to Lebanon at $41,107/year — a difference of $11,654 (28.35%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Knoxville and Lebanon?

Knoxville veterinary technologist and technicians earn $25.36/hr while Lebanon hygienists earn $19.76/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Knoxville and Lebanon. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Knoxville = $56,996, Lebanon = $44,779), job availability (340 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $37,368 in Knoxville and $31,184 in Lebanon. 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