Vet Tech salary

La Vista vs Lincoln: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between La Vista, NE and Lincoln, NE. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

La Vista, NE
$42,589
$20.48/hr
Lincoln, NE
$48,266
$23.21/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLa Vista, NELincoln, NE
Median Salary$42,589$48,266
Hourly Rate$20.48$23.21
Entry Level (P10)$35,259$40,438
25th Percentile$36,689$42,137
75th Percentile$50,621$51,516
Top Earner (P90)$53,702$60,462
Total Employed6130
Side-by-side bar chart comparing La Vista ($42,589) and Lincoln ($48,266) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.La VistaLincolnMedian Salary$42,589$48,266Entry Level (P10)$35,259$40,438Top Earner (P90)$53,702$60,462US Median $49,986

Verdict

Lincoln, NE offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to La Vista.

The salary gap between La Vista and Lincoln is $5,677 (13.33%). Lincoln's median is -3.44% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in La Vista spans $18,443,Lincoln spans $20,024. Lincoln has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

La Vista
P10 (Entry)$35,259
P25$36,689
Median$42,589
P75$50,621
P90 (Top)$53,702
Lincoln
P10 (Entry)$40,438
P25$42,137
Median$48,266
P75$51,516
P90 (Top)$60,462

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lincoln ($52,703 effective) pays 13.23% more than La Vista ($46,545 effective).

La Vista
Nominal: $42,589
CoL Index: 91.5
Adjusted: $46,545
Lincoln
Nominal: $48,266
CoL Index: 91.581
Adjusted: $52,703

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose La Vista if…

  • You prefer the Nebraska area and lifestyle

Choose Lincoln if…

  • Higher median salary ($48,266/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($60,462)
  • Larger job market (130 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $52,703)
  • You prefer the Nebraska area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in La Vista grew 31.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 35.8% growth in Lincoln over the same period.

La Vista, NE

+31.6%

$30,673 (2024) → $40,369 (2025)

Lincoln, NE

+35.8%

$33,680 (2019) → $45,750 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: La Vista or Lincoln?

Lincoln has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $48,266/year, compared to La Vista at $42,589/year — a difference of $5,677 (13.33%).

What is the hourly rate difference between La Vista and Lincoln?

La Vista veterinary technologist and technicians earn $20.48/hr while Lincoln hygienists earn $23.21/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from La Vista to Lincoln as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing La Vista and Lincoln. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: La Vista = $46,545, Lincoln = $52,703), job availability (6 vs 130 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in La Vista vs Lincoln?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $35,259 in La Vista and $40,438 in Lincoln. The Lincoln 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