Vet Tech salary

Memphis vs Shelbyville: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Memphis, TN and Shelbyville, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Memphis, TN
$41,894
$20.14/hr
Shelbyville, TN
$40,097
$19.27/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMemphis, TNShelbyville, TN
Median Salary$41,894$40,097
Hourly Rate$20.14$19.27
Entry Level (P10)$35,490$31,842
25th Percentile$39,141$33,430
75th Percentile$53,204$47,464
Top Earner (P90)$58,394$50,245
Total Employed2604
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Memphis ($41,894) and Shelbyville ($40,097) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.MemphisShelbyvilleMedian Salary$41,894$40,097Entry Level (P10)$35,490$31,842Top Earner (P90)$58,394$50,245US Median $49,986

Verdict

Memphis, TN offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Shelbyville.

The salary gap between Memphis and Shelbyville is $1,797 (4.48%). Memphis's median is -16.19% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Memphis spans $22,904,Shelbyville spans $18,403. Memphis has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Memphis
P10 (Entry)$35,490
P25$39,141
Median$41,894
P75$53,204
P90 (Top)$58,394
Shelbyville
P10 (Entry)$31,842
P25$33,430
Median$40,097
P75$47,464
P90 (Top)$50,245

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Memphis ($45,449 effective) pays 4.05% more than Shelbyville ($43,679 effective).

Memphis
Nominal: $41,894
CoL Index: 92.179
Adjusted: $45,449
Shelbyville
Nominal: $40,097
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $43,679

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Memphis if…

  • Higher median salary ($41,894/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($58,394)
  • Larger job market (260 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $45,449)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Shelbyville if…

  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Memphis grew 60.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 27.2% growth in Shelbyville over the same period.

Memphis, TN

+60.0%

$24,820 (2019) → $39,710 (2025)

Shelbyville, TN

+27.2%

$29,873 (2024) → $38,007 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Memphis or Shelbyville?

Memphis has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $41,894/year, compared to Shelbyville at $40,097/year — a difference of $1,797 (4.48%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Memphis and Shelbyville?

Memphis veterinary technologist and technicians earn $20.14/hr while Shelbyville hygienists earn $19.27/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Memphis to Shelbyville as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Memphis and Shelbyville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Memphis = $45,449, Shelbyville = $43,679), job availability (260 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Memphis vs Shelbyville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $35,490 in Memphis and $31,842 in Shelbyville. The Memphis 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