Vet Tech salary

Louisville/Jefferson County vs Richmond: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Louisville/Jefferson County, KY and Richmond, KY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY
$47,169
$22.68/hr
Richmond, KY
$43,951
$21.13/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLouisville/Jefferson County, KYRichmond, KY
Median Salary$47,169$43,951
Hourly Rate$22.68$21.13
Entry Level (P10)$33,148$33,411
25th Percentile$38,508$35,905
75th Percentile$49,817$52,689
Top Earner (P90)$53,615$55,011
Total Employed5005
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Louisville/Jefferson County ($47,169) and Richmond ($43,951) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.Louisville/Jefferson CountyRichmondMedian Salary$47,169$43,951Entry Level (P10)$33,148$33,411Top Earner (P90)$53,615$55,011US Median $49,986

Verdict

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Richmond.

The salary gap between Louisville/Jefferson County and Richmond is $3,218 (7.32%). Louisville/Jefferson County's median is -5.64% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Louisville/Jefferson County spans $20,467,Richmond spans $21,600. Richmond has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Louisville/Jefferson County
P10 (Entry)$33,148
P25$38,508
Median$47,169
P75$49,817
P90 (Top)$53,615
Richmond
P10 (Entry)$33,411
P25$35,905
Median$43,951
P75$52,689
P90 (Top)$55,011

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Louisville/Jefferson County ($50,679 effective) pays 2.97% more than Richmond ($49,217 effective).

Louisville/Jefferson County
Nominal: $47,169
CoL Index: 93.074
Adjusted: $50,679
Richmond
Nominal: $43,951
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $49,217

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Louisville/Jefferson County if…

  • Higher median salary ($47,169/year)
  • Larger job market (500 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $50,679)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Choose Richmond if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($55,011)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Louisville/Jefferson County grew 68.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 39.4% growth in Richmond over the same period.

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY

+68.7%

$26,500 (2019) → $44,710 (2025)

Richmond, KY

+39.4%

$29,895 (2024) → $41,660 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Louisville/Jefferson County or Richmond?

Louisville/Jefferson County has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $47,169/year, compared to Richmond at $43,951/year — a difference of $3,218 (7.32%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Louisville/Jefferson County and Richmond?

Louisville/Jefferson County veterinary technologist and technicians earn $22.68/hr while Richmond hygienists earn $21.13/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Louisville/Jefferson County to Richmond as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Louisville/Jefferson County and Richmond. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Louisville/Jefferson County = $50,679, Richmond = $49,217), job availability (500 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Louisville/Jefferson County vs Richmond?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $33,148 in Louisville/Jefferson County and $33,411 in Richmond. The Richmond 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