Vet Tech salary

Oklahoma City vs Shawnee: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Oklahoma City, OK and Shawnee, OK. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Oklahoma City, OK
$42,474
$20.41/hr
Shawnee, OK
$43,185
$20.76/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricOklahoma City, OKShawnee, OK
Median Salary$42,474$43,185
Hourly Rate$20.41$20.76
Entry Level (P10)$37,421$32,071
25th Percentile$39,320$37,215
75th Percentile$49,691$51,162
Top Earner (P90)$54,744$57,028
Total Employed3707
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Oklahoma City ($42,474) and Shawnee ($43,185) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.Oklahoma CityShawneeMedian Salary$42,474$43,185Entry Level (P10)$37,421$32,071Top Earner (P90)$54,744$57,028US Median $49,986

Verdict

Shawnee, OK offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Oklahoma City.

The salary gap between Oklahoma City and Shawnee is $711 (1.67%). Shawnee's median is -13.61% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Oklahoma City spans $17,323,Shawnee spans $24,957. Shawnee has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Oklahoma City
P10 (Entry)$37,421
P25$39,320
Median$42,474
P75$49,691
P90 (Top)$54,744
Shawnee
P10 (Entry)$32,071
P25$37,215
Median$43,185
P75$51,162
P90 (Top)$57,028

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Shawnee ($48,577 effective) pays 3.40% more than Oklahoma City ($46,980 effective).

Oklahoma City
Nominal: $42,474
CoL Index: 90.408
Adjusted: $46,980
Shawnee
Nominal: $43,185
CoL Index: 88.9
Adjusted: $48,577

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Oklahoma City if…

  • Larger job market (370 employed)
  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Choose Shawnee if…

  • Higher median salary ($43,185/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($57,028)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $48,577)
  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Oklahoma City grew 43.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 48.1% growth in Shawnee over the same period.

Oklahoma City, OK

+43.5%

$28,050 (2019) → $40,260 (2025)

Shawnee, OK

+48.1%

$27,646 (2024) → $40,934 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Oklahoma City or Shawnee?

Shawnee has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $43,185/year, compared to Oklahoma City at $42,474/year — a difference of $711 (1.67%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Oklahoma City and Shawnee?

Oklahoma City veterinary technologist and technicians earn $20.41/hr while Shawnee hygienists earn $20.76/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Oklahoma City to Shawnee as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Oklahoma City and Shawnee. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Oklahoma City = $46,980, Shawnee = $48,577), job availability (370 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Oklahoma City vs Shawnee?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $37,421 in Oklahoma City and $32,071 in Shawnee. The Oklahoma City 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