Vet Tech salary

Lincoln vs Omaha: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

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

Lincoln, NE
$48,266
$23.21/hr
Omaha, NE
$47,443
$22.81/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLincoln, NEOmaha, NE
Median Salary$48,266$47,443
Hourly Rate$23.21$22.81
Entry Level (P10)$40,438$40,945
25th Percentile$42,137$45,639
75th Percentile$51,516$57,255
Top Earner (P90)$60,462$62,952
Total Employed130240
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Lincoln ($48,266) and Omaha ($47,443) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.LincolnOmahaMedian Salary$48,266$47,443Entry Level (P10)$40,438$40,945Top Earner (P90)$60,462$62,952US Median $49,986

Verdict

Lincoln and Omaha are closely matched on overall veterinary technologist and technician compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Lincoln and Omaha is $823 (1.73%). 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 Lincoln spans $20,024,Omaha spans $22,007. Omaha has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Lincoln
P10 (Entry)$40,438
P25$42,137
Median$48,266
P75$51,516
P90 (Top)$60,462
Omaha
P10 (Entry)$40,945
P25$45,639
Median$47,443
P75$57,255
P90 (Top)$62,952

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lincoln ($52,703 effective) pays 2.10% more than Omaha ($51,618 effective).

Lincoln
Nominal: $48,266
CoL Index: 91.581
Adjusted: $52,703
Omaha
Nominal: $47,443
CoL Index: 91.911
Adjusted: $51,618

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Lincoln if…

  • Higher median salary ($48,266/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $52,703)
  • You prefer the Nebraska area and lifestyle

Choose Omaha if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($62,952)
  • Larger job market (240 employed)
  • You prefer the Nebraska area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Lincoln grew 35.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 21.0% growth in Omaha over the same period.

Lincoln, NE

+35.8%

$33,680 (2019) → $45,750 (2025)

Omaha, NE

+21.0%

$37,160 (2019) → $44,970 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Lincoln has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $48,266/year, compared to Omaha at $47,443/year — a difference of $823 (1.73%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Lincoln and Omaha?

Lincoln veterinary technologist and technicians earn $23.21/hr while Omaha hygienists earn $22.81/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Lincoln and Omaha. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Lincoln = $52,703, Omaha = $51,618), job availability (130 vs 240 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $40,438 in Lincoln and $40,945 in Omaha. The Omaha 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