Vet Tech salary

Omaha vs Papillion: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Omaha, NE and Papillion, NE. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Omaha, NE
$47,443
$22.81/hr
Papillion, NE
$42,544
$20.46/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricOmaha, NEPapillion, NE
Median Salary$47,443$42,544
Hourly Rate$22.81$20.46
Entry Level (P10)$40,945$35,331
25th Percentile$45,639$36,595
75th Percentile$57,255$50,516
Top Earner (P90)$62,952$53,561
Total Employed2405
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Omaha ($47,443) and Papillion ($42,544) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.OmahaPapillionMedian Salary$47,443$42,544Entry Level (P10)$40,945$35,331Top Earner (P90)$62,952$53,561US Median $49,986

Verdict

Omaha, NE offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Papillion.

The salary gap between Omaha and Papillion is $4,899 (11.52%). Omaha's median is -5.09% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Omaha spans $22,007,Papillion spans $18,230. Omaha has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Omaha
P10 (Entry)$40,945
P25$45,639
Median$47,443
P75$57,255
P90 (Top)$62,952
Papillion
P10 (Entry)$35,331
P25$36,595
Median$42,544
P75$50,516
P90 (Top)$53,561

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Omaha ($51,618 effective) pays 11.02% more than Papillion ($46,496 effective).

Omaha
Nominal: $47,443
CoL Index: 91.911
Adjusted: $51,618
Papillion
Nominal: $42,544
CoL Index: 91.5
Adjusted: $46,496

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Omaha if…

  • Higher median salary ($47,443/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($62,952)
  • Larger job market (240 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $51,618)
  • You prefer the Nebraska area and lifestyle

Choose Papillion if…

  • You prefer the Nebraska area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Omaha grew 21.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 31.6% growth in Papillion over the same period.

Omaha, NE

+21.0%

$37,160 (2019) → $44,970 (2025)

Papillion, NE

+31.6%

$30,640 (2024) → $40,326 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Omaha or Papillion?

Omaha has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $47,443/year, compared to Papillion at $42,544/year — a difference of $4,899 (11.52%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Omaha and Papillion?

Omaha veterinary technologist and technicians earn $22.81/hr while Papillion hygienists earn $20.46/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Omaha to Papillion as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Omaha and Papillion. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Omaha = $51,618, Papillion = $46,496), job availability (240 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Omaha vs Papillion?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $40,945 in Omaha and $35,331 in Papillion. The Omaha 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