Vet Tech salary

Las Cruces vs Roswell: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Las Cruces, NM and Roswell, NM. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Las Cruces, NM
$40,164
$19.31/hr
Roswell, NM
$46,289
$22.25/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLas Cruces, NMRoswell, NM
Median Salary$40,164$46,289
Hourly Rate$19.31$22.25
Entry Level (P10)$32,388$35,097
25th Percentile$38,887$37,602
75th Percentile$48,425$55,356
Top Earner (P90)$52,687$59,123
Total Employed9012
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Las Cruces ($40,164) and Roswell ($46,289) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.Las CrucesRoswellMedian Salary$40,164$46,289Entry Level (P10)$32,388$35,097Top Earner (P90)$52,687$59,123US Median $49,986

Verdict

Roswell, NM offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Las Cruces.

The salary gap between Las Cruces and Roswell is $6,125 (15.25%). Roswell's median is -7.40% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Las Cruces spans $20,299,Roswell spans $24,026. Roswell has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Las Cruces
P10 (Entry)$32,388
P25$38,887
Median$40,164
P75$48,425
P90 (Top)$52,687
Roswell
P10 (Entry)$35,097
P25$37,602
Median$46,289
P75$55,356
P90 (Top)$59,123

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Roswell ($49,035 effective) pays 10.14% more than Las Cruces ($44,522 effective).

Las Cruces
Nominal: $40,164
CoL Index: 90.212
Adjusted: $44,522
Roswell
Nominal: $46,289
CoL Index: 94.4
Adjusted: $49,035

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Las Cruces if…

  • Larger job market (90 employed)
  • You prefer the New Mexico area and lifestyle

Choose Roswell if…

  • Higher median salary ($46,289/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($59,123)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $49,035)
  • You prefer the New Mexico area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Las Cruces grew 36.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 39.4% growth in Roswell over the same period.

Las Cruces, NM

+36.0%

$27,990 (2019) → $38,070 (2025)

Roswell, NM

+39.4%

$31,486 (2024) → $43,876 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Las Cruces or Roswell?

Roswell has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $46,289/year, compared to Las Cruces at $40,164/year — a difference of $6,125 (15.25%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Las Cruces and Roswell?

Las Cruces veterinary technologist and technicians earn $19.31/hr while Roswell hygienists earn $22.25/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Las Cruces to Roswell as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Las Cruces and Roswell. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Las Cruces = $44,522, Roswell = $49,035), job availability (90 vs 12 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Las Cruces vs Roswell?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $32,388 in Las Cruces and $35,097 in Roswell. The Roswell 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