Vet Tech salary

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

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

Ponca City, OK
$41,285
$19.84/hr
Tulsa, OK
$47,591
$22.88/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPonca City, OKTulsa, OK
Median Salary$41,285$47,591
Hourly Rate$19.84$22.88
Entry Level (P10)$34,202$37,600
25th Percentile$35,450$39,752
75th Percentile$48,964$50,556
Top Earner (P90)$51,883$59,333
Total Employed4230
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Ponca City ($41,285) and Tulsa ($47,591) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.Ponca CityTulsaMedian Salary$41,285$47,591Entry Level (P10)$34,202$37,600Top Earner (P90)$51,883$59,333US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Ponca City and Tulsa is $6,306 (15.27%). 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 Ponca City spans $17,681,Tulsa spans $21,733. Tulsa has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Ponca City
P10 (Entry)$34,202
P25$35,450
Median$41,285
P75$48,964
P90 (Top)$51,883
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 14.87% more than Ponca City ($46,440 effective).

Ponca City
Nominal: $41,285
CoL Index: 88.9
Adjusted: $46,440
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 Ponca City if…

  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Choose Tulsa if…

  • Higher median salary ($47,591/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($59,333)
  • Larger job market (230 employed)
  • 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 Ponca City grew 48.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 47.3% growth in Tulsa over the same period.

Ponca City, OK

+48.1%

$26,430 (2024) → $39,133 (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: Ponca City or Tulsa?

Tulsa has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $47,591/year, compared to Ponca City at $41,285/year — a difference of $6,306 (15.27%).

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

Ponca City veterinary technologist and technicians earn $19.84/hr while Tulsa hygienists earn $22.88/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Ponca City and Tulsa. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Ponca City = $46,440, Tulsa = $53,345), job availability (4 vs 230 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $34,202 in Ponca 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