Vet Tech salary

San Antonio vs El Paso: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between San Antonio, TX and El Paso, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

San Antonio, TX
$41,736
$20.07/hr
El Paso, TX
$38,233
$18.38/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Antonio, TXEl Paso, TX
Median Salary$41,736$38,233
Hourly Rate$20.07$18.38
Entry Level (P10)$32,040$29,656
25th Percentile$38,961$31,481
75th Percentile$49,722$44,911
Top Earner (P90)$59,228$50,313
Total Employed1,730250
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Antonio ($41,736) and El Paso ($38,233) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.San AntonioEl PasoMedian Salary$41,736$38,233Entry Level (P10)$32,040$29,656Top Earner (P90)$59,228$50,313US Median $49,986

Verdict

San Antonio, TX offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to El Paso.

The salary gap between San Antonio and El Paso is $3,503 (9.16%). San Antonio's median is -16.50% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in San Antonio spans $27,188,El Paso spans $20,657. San Antonio has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

San Antonio
P10 (Entry)$32,040
P25$38,961
Median$41,736
P75$49,722
P90 (Top)$59,228
El Paso
P10 (Entry)$29,656
P25$31,481
Median$38,233
P75$44,911
P90 (Top)$50,313

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Antonio ($44,064 effective) pays 3.63% more than El Paso ($42,523 effective).

San Antonio
Nominal: $41,736
CoL Index: 94.716
Adjusted: $44,064
El Paso
Nominal: $38,233
CoL Index: 89.912
Adjusted: $42,523

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose San Antonio if…

  • Higher median salary ($41,736/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($59,228)
  • Larger job market (1,730 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $44,064)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose El Paso if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in San Antonio grew 19.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 32.5% growth in El Paso over the same period.

San Antonio, TX

+19.1%

$33,220 (2019) → $39,560 (2025)

El Paso, TX

+32.5%

$27,350 (2019) → $36,240 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: San Antonio or El Paso?

San Antonio has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $41,736/year, compared to El Paso at $38,233/year — a difference of $3,503 (9.16%).

What is the hourly rate difference between San Antonio and El Paso?

San Antonio veterinary technologist and technicians earn $20.07/hr while El Paso hygienists earn $18.38/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from San Antonio to El Paso as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Antonio and El Paso. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Antonio = $44,064, El Paso = $42,523), job availability (1,730 vs 250 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in San Antonio vs El Paso?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $32,040 in San Antonio and $29,656 in El Paso. The San Antonio area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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