Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Houma, LA: $36,609 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Houma, LA earns a median $36,609/year (≈ $17.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Houma's price level (15% below national, BEA RPP 85.1), that paycheck buys what $43,017 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the Louisiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Houma, Louisiana, veterinary technologists and technicians can expect to earn a median annual salary of $36,609 in 2026, significantly lower than the national median of $49,986. The salary range for this profession spans from $31,144 at the 10th percentile to $52,233 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse opportunities available in the area. This information is derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, which underscores the disparity in pay scales between specialty hospitals and general practice settings. As veterinarians recognize the need for skilled support staff, the job market for these professionals remains relatively competitive, especially with an increasing focus on specialized care.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,144 | $14.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31,608 | $15.20 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $36,609 | $17.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38,244 | $18.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52,233 | $25.11 |
Median Salary Position
26.76% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Houma
In Houma, LA, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $21,089 (2026 est.). At $36,609, the local median is 26.76% below the national median of $49,986.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Houma: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Houma Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
Houma median: $36,609/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Houma Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $37,128 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $49,986 | -26.76% less |
Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Houma, LA earn a median of $36,609 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.76% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 1.40% below the Louisiana state average of $37,128.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Houma has a cost of living 14.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Houma, LA has a cost-of-living index of 85.103 (below the national average of 100). A veterinary technologist and technician earning $36,609 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $43,017 in an average-cost city — an effective 17.5% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$25,868
2025 BLS Actual
$34,700
2026 Current Est.
$36,609
2019–2027 Growth
+49.3%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Houma (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25,868 | Actual |
| 2020 | $26,556 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,020 | Actual |
| 2022 | $28,320 | Actual |
| 2023 | $32,034 | Actual |
| 2024 | $30,170 | Actual |
| 2025 | $34,700 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36,609 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38,622 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Houma metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 34.1% from $25,868 (2019) to $34,700 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $38,622 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,754 (49.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Houma metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.50% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $31,144 – $31,608 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $31,608 – $36,609 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $36,609 – $38,244 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $38,244 – $52,233 |
Vet Tech salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinary technologist and technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Job Market in Houma
The local market shows that around 50 veterinary technologists and technicians are employed in Houma, a figure that indicates a stable demand for these roles. Given the area's cost of living index of 85.103, jobs in this field may offer a reasonable purchasing power which could help offset lower salaries. Specialties such as emergency and critical care can provide the highest pay, particularly in corporate chain hospitals like VCA and BluePearl, while general practices offer comparatively lower compensation. The gap in earnings is influenced by factors such as VTS specialty certifications and corporate pay scales. To maximize earnings in Houma, aspiring veterinary technologists and technicians should consider pursuing VTS credentials and gaining experience in specialty hospitals, as well as seek positions that offer shift differentials and lead roles to increase their financial prospects.
More salary data for Houma, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinary technologists and technicians make in Houma, LA in 2026?
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Can veterinary technologists and technicians make $100K in Houma?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $34,700 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Houma metropolitan area. A 5.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 4-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.50%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for veterinary technologist and technicians (SOC 29-2056).
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