Vet Tech salary

Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Metairie, LA: $37,758 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Metairie, LA earns a median $37,758/year (≈ $18.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Metairie's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.3), that paycheck buys what $41,814 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% above the Louisiana state average.

$37,758
Median Annual Salary
$18.16/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$26,733
Entry Level (P10)
$52,567
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Metairie, LA — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Metairie, LA veterinary technologist and technician salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In Metairie, Louisiana, veterinary technologists and technicians can expect a median annual salary of $37,758, which is significantly lower than the national median of $49,986. The salary range in this local market varies considerably, from $26,733 at the 10th percentile to $52,567 at the 90th percentile. These figures are projections for 2026, based on 2025 BLS data, which indicates structural pay differences between those working in specialty hospitals versus general practice settings. As compensation continues to evolve, navigating the job market in Metairie may lead to opportunities that reward those who seek specialized roles.

About the Metairie Market

Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($32,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$26,733$12.85
Lower Range (P25)$31,810$15.30
Median (P50)(typical)$37,758$18.16
Upper Range (P75)$45,922$22.08
Top Earners (P90)$52,567$25.28

Median Salary Position

$26,733$52,567
City Median: $37,758
National: $49,986
P10–P90 Range

24.46% below the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Metairie

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for veterinary technologist and technicians in Metairie. The median salary is $37,758, compared to the national median of $49,986.$24.1K$31.8K$39.6K$47.4K$55.2K$26.7K10th Pctl$31.8K25th Pctl$37.8KMedian$45.9K75th Pctl$52.6K90th PctlUS Median$50.0K

In Metairie, LA, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,834 (2026 est.). At $37,758, the local median is 24.46% below the national median of $49,986.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of veterinary technologist and technician pay in the Metairie metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$726
per week
$3,147
per month
$37,766
per year

At 40 hours/week in Metairie: You'd be in the lower-middle range

How Metairie Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares

Metairie median: $37,758/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryMetairie Pays
Louisiana Average$37,127+1.70% more
National Average$49,986-24.46% less
Horizontal bar chart comparing veterinary technologist and technician median salary in Metairie ($37,758) with Louisiana average ($37,127) and the US national median ($49,986).Metairie$37,758Louisiana Avg$37,127+1.70%US National$49,986-24.46%

Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Metairie, LA earn a median of $37,758 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.46% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 1.70% above the Louisiana state average of $37,127.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$37,758
Nominal Salary
90.3
CoL Index
$41,814
Adjusted Salary

Metairie has a cost of living 9.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.

Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $37,758. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 90.3, the purchasing-power equivalent is $41,814, a gain of $4,056.$32.1K$38.4K$44.8K$51.1K$57.5K$37,758NominalSalary$41,814CoL Adjusted(CoL: 90.3) 10.74%US Median $50.0K

Metairie, LA has a cost-of-living index of 90.3 (below the national average of 100). A veterinary technologist and technician earning $37,758 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $41,814 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.74% boost.

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2019 BLS Actual

$26,680

2025 BLS Actual

$35,790

2026 Current Est.

$37,758

2019–2027 Growth

+49.3%

Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Metairie (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for veterinary technologists and technicians in Metairie. Baseline $26,680 in 2025, projected to $39,835 by 2027.$24.0K$28.7K$33.3K$37.9K$42.5K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$26.7K$27.4K$27.8K$28.9K$33.0K$29.3K$35.8K$37.8K$39.8K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$26,680Actual
2020$27,390Actual
2021$27,836Actual
2022$28,886Actual
2023$33,040Actual
2024$29,291Actual
2025$35,790Actual
2026(current)$37,758Estimated
2027$39,835Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Metairie metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 34.1% from $26,680 (2019) to $35,790 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $39,835 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,155 (49.31%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Metairie metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$26,733$31,810
3-5 years (Mid Career)$31,810$37,758
5+ years (Experienced)$37,758$45,922
10+ years (Top Earner)$45,922$52,567

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 Metairie

Twenty-three veterinary technologists and technicians are employed in Metairie, reflecting a competitive local job market. With a cost-of-living index at 90.3, professionals in this area may find their take-home pay stretches further compared to cities with higher living costs. Employers such as specialty referral hospitals and corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl often offer higher salaries, particularly for those with VTS specialty credentials in fields like emergency care or anesthesia. Several factors drive the disparity in pay, including the type of facility, shifts worked, and the level of experience. For those looking to boost their earnings, pursuing specialization through certification, seeking employment with higher-paying employers, and considering roles in emergency clinics can lead to more lucrative possibilities within Metairie, LA.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do veterinary technologists and technicians make in Metairie, LA in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median veterinary technologist and technician salary in Metairie is $37,758/year ($18.16/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 5.50% annual growth). Salaries range from $26,733 at entry level (10th percentile) to $52,567 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Metairie at 24.5% below the national median. Full-time veterinary technologists and technicians typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Metairie, LA a good place to work as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Metairie veterinary technologist and technician salaries are 24.5% below the national average and 1.7% above the Louisiana state average. The metro area employs approximately 23 veterinary technologists and technicians. With a cost-of-living index of 90.3, your salary stretches further here than in higher-cost metros. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can veterinary technologists and technicians make $100K in Metairie?

The median veterinary technologist and technician salary in Metairie is $37,758, and the 90th percentile earns $52,567. Reaching $100K in this market typically requires a combination of advanced certifications, working at multiple practices, or transitioning into education or consulting roles.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted veterinary technologist and technician salary in Metairie?

After adjusting for Metairie's cost-of-living index of 90.3 (where 100 equals the national average), the $37,758 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $41,814 in an average-cost city. This means your dollar goes 10.7% further in Metairie compared to the national average, making it an attractive location for veterinary technologists and technicians seeking strong real wages.

How much does a veterinary technologist and technician make per hour in Metairie?

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Metairie earn a median hourly rate of $18.16, which translates to approximately $37,758/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $12.85 for entry-level positions to $25.28 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem veterinary technologists and technicians sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

Related Pages

Nearby Cities in Louisiana

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

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 $35,790 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Metairie 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

Salary data for Metairie is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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