Vet Tech salary

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

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

Oklahoma City, OK
$42,474
$20.41/hr
Tulsa, OK
$47,591
$22.88/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricOklahoma City, OKTulsa, OK
Median Salary$42,474$47,591
Hourly Rate$20.41$22.88
Entry Level (P10)$37,421$37,600
25th Percentile$39,320$39,752
75th Percentile$49,691$50,556
Top Earner (P90)$54,744$59,333
Total Employed370230
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Oklahoma City ($42,474) and Tulsa ($47,591) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.Oklahoma CityTulsaMedian Salary$42,474$47,591Entry Level (P10)$37,421$37,600Top Earner (P90)$54,744$59,333US Median $49,986

Verdict

Tulsa, 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 Tulsa is $5,117 (12.05%). Tulsa's median is -4.79% 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,Tulsa spans $21,733. Tulsa 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
Tulsa
P10 (Entry)$37,600
P25$39,752
Median$47,591
P75$50,556
P90 (Top)$59,333

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Tulsa ($53,345 effective) pays 13.55% more than Oklahoma City ($46,980 effective).

Oklahoma City
Nominal: $42,474
CoL Index: 90.408
Adjusted: $46,980
Tulsa
Nominal: $47,591
CoL Index: 89.214
Adjusted: $53,345

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 Tulsa if…

  • Higher median salary ($47,591/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($59,333)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $53,345)
  • 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 47.3% growth in Tulsa over the same period.

Oklahoma City, OK

+43.5%

$28,050 (2019) → $40,260 (2025)

Tulsa, OK

+47.3%

$30,630 (2019) → $45,110 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Tulsa has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $47,591/year, compared to Oklahoma City at $42,474/year — a difference of $5,117 (12.05%).

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

Oklahoma City veterinary technologist and technicians earn $20.41/hr while Tulsa hygienists earn $22.88/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Oklahoma City and Tulsa. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Oklahoma City = $46,980, Tulsa = $53,345), job availability (370 vs 230 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $37,421 in Oklahoma City and $37,600 in Tulsa. The Tulsa 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