Vet Tech salary

Louisville vs Murray: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

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

Louisville, KY
$48,665
$23.40/hr
Murray, KY
$41,750
$20.08/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLouisville, KYMurray, KY
Median Salary$48,665$41,750
Hourly Rate$23.40$20.08
Entry Level (P10)$33,902$35,058
25th Percentile$37,892$36,192
75th Percentile$60,401$49,836
Top Earner (P90)$67,096$52,987
Total Employed1324
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Louisville ($48,665) and Murray ($41,750) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.LouisvilleMurrayMedian Salary$48,665$41,750Entry Level (P10)$33,902$35,058Top Earner (P90)$67,096$52,987US Median $49,986

Verdict

Louisville, KY offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Murray.

The salary gap between Louisville and Murray is $6,915 (16.56%). Louisville's median is -2.64% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Louisville spans $33,194,Murray spans $17,929. Louisville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Louisville
P10 (Entry)$33,902
P25$37,892
Median$48,665
P75$60,401
P90 (Top)$67,096
Murray
P10 (Entry)$35,058
P25$36,192
Median$41,750
P75$49,836
P90 (Top)$52,987

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Louisville ($54,496 effective) pays 16.56% more than Murray ($46,753 effective).

Louisville
Nominal: $48,665
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $54,496
Murray
Nominal: $41,750
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $46,753

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Louisville if…

  • Higher median salary ($48,665/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($67,096)
  • Larger job market (132 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $54,496)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Choose Murray if…

  • 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 grew 39.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 39.4% growth in Murray over the same period.

Louisville, KY

+39.4%

$33,102 (2024) → $46,128 (2025)

Murray, KY

+39.4%

$28,398 (2024) → $39,573 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Louisville or Murray?

Louisville has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $48,665/year, compared to Murray at $41,750/year — a difference of $6,915 (16.56%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Louisville and Murray?

Louisville veterinary technologist and technicians earn $23.40/hr while Murray hygienists earn $20.08/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Louisville to Murray as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Louisville and Murray. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Louisville = $54,496, Murray = $46,753), job availability (132 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Louisville vs Murray?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $33,902 in Louisville and $35,058 in Murray. The Murray 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