Vet Tech salary

Nashville vs Smyrna: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

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

Nashville, TN
$47,095
$22.64/hr
Smyrna, TN
$42,346
$20.36/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNashville, TNSmyrna, TN
Median Salary$47,095$42,346
Hourly Rate$22.64$20.36
Entry Level (P10)$38,782$31,799
25th Percentile$39,974$34,371
75th Percentile$54,364$51,908
Top Earner (P90)$61,812$55,034
Total Employed47012
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Nashville ($47,095) and Smyrna ($42,346) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.NashvilleSmyrnaMedian Salary$47,095$42,346Entry Level (P10)$38,782$31,799Top Earner (P90)$61,812$55,034US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Nashville and Smyrna is $4,749 (11.21%). Nashville's median is -5.78% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Nashville spans $23,030,Smyrna spans $23,235. Smyrna has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Nashville
P10 (Entry)$38,782
P25$39,974
Median$47,095
P75$54,364
P90 (Top)$61,812
Smyrna
P10 (Entry)$31,799
P25$34,371
Median$42,346
P75$51,908
P90 (Top)$55,034

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Nashville ($48,885 effective) pays 5.98% more than Smyrna ($46,129 effective).

Nashville
Nominal: $47,095
CoL Index: 96.338
Adjusted: $48,885
Smyrna
Nominal: $42,346
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $46,129

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Nashville if…

  • Higher median salary ($47,095/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($61,812)
  • Larger job market (470 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $48,885)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Smyrna 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 Nashville grew 16.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 27.2% growth in Smyrna over the same period.

Nashville, TN

+16.5%

$38,330 (2019) → $44,640 (2025)

Smyrna, TN

+27.2%

$31,549 (2024) → $40,138 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Nashville or Smyrna?

Nashville has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $47,095/year, compared to Smyrna at $42,346/year — a difference of $4,749 (11.21%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Nashville and Smyrna?

Nashville veterinary technologist and technicians earn $22.64/hr while Smyrna hygienists earn $20.36/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Nashville to Smyrna as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Nashville and Smyrna. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Nashville = $48,885, Smyrna = $46,129), job availability (470 vs 12 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Nashville vs Smyrna?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $38,782 in Nashville and $31,799 in Smyrna. The Nashville 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