Vet Tech salary

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

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

Lincoln, NE
$48,266
$23.21/hr
Scottsbluff, NE
$43,892
$21.10/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLincoln, NEScottsbluff, NE
Median Salary$48,266$43,892
Hourly Rate$23.21$21.10
Entry Level (P10)$40,438$33,696
25th Percentile$42,137$38,467
75th Percentile$51,516$51,164
Top Earner (P90)$60,462$53,721
Total Employed1304
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Lincoln ($48,266) and Scottsbluff ($43,892) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.LincolnScottsbluffMedian Salary$48,266$43,892Entry Level (P10)$40,438$33,696Top Earner (P90)$60,462$53,721US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Lincoln and Scottsbluff is $4,374 (9.97%). 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,Scottsbluff spans $20,025. Scottsbluff 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
Scottsbluff
P10 (Entry)$33,696
P25$38,467
Median$43,892
P75$51,164
P90 (Top)$53,721

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lincoln ($52,703 effective) pays 9.87% more than Scottsbluff ($47,969 effective).

Lincoln
Nominal: $48,266
CoL Index: 91.581
Adjusted: $52,703
Scottsbluff
Nominal: $43,892
CoL Index: 91.5
Adjusted: $47,969

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

Choose Scottsbluff if…

  • 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 31.6% growth in Scottsbluff over the same period.

Lincoln, NE

+35.8%

$33,680 (2019) → $45,750 (2025)

Scottsbluff, NE

+31.6%

$31,611 (2024) → $41,604 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Lincoln has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $48,266/year, compared to Scottsbluff at $43,892/year — a difference of $4,374 (9.97%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Lincoln and Scottsbluff?

Lincoln veterinary technologist and technicians earn $23.21/hr while Scottsbluff hygienists earn $21.10/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Lincoln and Scottsbluff. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Lincoln = $52,703, Scottsbluff = $47,969), job availability (130 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $40,438 in Lincoln and $33,696 in Scottsbluff. 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