Vet Tech salary

New Orleans vs Slidell: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between New Orleans, LA and Slidell, LA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

New Orleans, LA
$37,621
$18.08/hr
Slidell, LA
$36,078
$17.34/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew Orleans, LASlidell, LA
Median Salary$37,621$36,078
Hourly Rate$18.08$17.34
Entry Level (P10)$31,418$26,774
25th Percentile$35,332$31,076
75th Percentile$41,356$42,674
Top Earner (P90)$49,406$45,487
Total Employed4808
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New Orleans ($37,621) and Slidell ($36,078) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.New OrleansSlidellMedian Salary$37,621$36,078Entry Level (P10)$31,418$26,774Top Earner (P90)$49,406$45,487US Median $49,986

Verdict

New Orleans, LA offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Slidell.

The salary gap between New Orleans and Slidell is $1,543 (4.28%). New Orleans's median is -24.74% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in New Orleans spans $17,988,Slidell spans $18,713. Slidell has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

New Orleans
P10 (Entry)$31,418
P25$35,332
Median$37,621
P75$41,356
P90 (Top)$49,406
Slidell
P10 (Entry)$26,774
P25$31,076
Median$36,078
P75$42,674
P90 (Top)$45,487

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, New Orleans ($40,629 effective) pays 1.69% more than Slidell ($39,953 effective).

New Orleans
Nominal: $37,621
CoL Index: 92.597
Adjusted: $40,629
Slidell
Nominal: $36,078
CoL Index: 90.3
Adjusted: $39,953

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose New Orleans if…

  • Higher median salary ($37,621/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($49,406)
  • Larger job market (480 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $40,629)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Choose Slidell if…

  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in New Orleans grew 35.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 21.8% growth in Slidell over the same period.

New Orleans, LA

+35.1%

$26,400 (2019) → $35,660 (2025)

Slidell, LA

+21.8%

$28,073 (2024) → $34,197 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: New Orleans or Slidell?

New Orleans has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $37,621/year, compared to Slidell at $36,078/year — a difference of $1,543 (4.28%).

What is the hourly rate difference between New Orleans and Slidell?

New Orleans veterinary technologist and technicians earn $18.08/hr while Slidell hygienists earn $17.34/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from New Orleans to Slidell as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing New Orleans and Slidell. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New Orleans = $40,629, Slidell = $39,953), job availability (480 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in New Orleans vs Slidell?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $31,418 in New Orleans and $26,774 in Slidell. The New Orleans 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