Vet Tech salary

Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Slidell, LA: $36,078 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Slidell, LA earns a median $36,078/year (β‰ˆ $17.34/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 β€” projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Slidell's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.3), that paycheck buys what $39,953 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.8% below the Louisiana state average.

$36,078
Median Annual Salary
$17.34/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$26,774
Entry Level (P10)
$45,487
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates Β· View source

Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Slidell, LA β€” 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Slidell, LA veterinary technologist and technician salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In Slidell, Louisiana, the projected veterinary technologist and technician salary in 2026 is set at $36,078, showcasing a significant gap when compared to the national average of $49,986. This salary range varies from $26,774 at the 10th percentile to $45,487 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the differences in workplace settings. Veterinary technologists and technicians often find that specialty hospitals tend to offer higher wages than general practice veterinary clinics due to the advanced skills required. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, highlight the essential financial landscape for individuals considering a career in this field in Slidell, providing insights into the local job market dynamics.

About the Slidell Market

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

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$26,774$12.87
Lower Range (P25)$31,076$14.94
Median (P50)(typical)$36,078$17.34
Upper Range (P75)$42,674$20.52
Top Earners (P90)$45,487$21.87

Median Salary Position

$26,774$49,986
City Median: $36,078
National: $49,986
P10–P90 Range

27.82% below the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Slidell

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for veterinary technologist and technicians in Slidell. The median salary is $36,078, compared to the national median of $49,986.$24.1K$31.2K$38.3K$45.4K$52.5K$26.8K10th Pctl$31.1K25th Pctl$36.1KMedian$42.7K75th Pctl$45.5K90th PctlUS Median$50.0K

In Slidell, LA, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $18,713 (2026 est.). At $36,078, the local median is 27.82% 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 Slidell metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$694
per week
$3,006
per month
$36,076
per year

At 40 hours/week in Slidell: You'd be above the median

How Slidell Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares

Slidell median: $36,078/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalarySlidell Pays
Louisiana Average$37,117-2.80% less
National Average$49,986-27.82% less
Horizontal bar chart comparing veterinary technologist and technician median salary in Slidell ($36,078) with Louisiana average ($37,117) and the US national median ($49,986).Slidell$36,078Louisiana Avg$37,117-2.80%US National$49,986-27.82%

Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Slidell, LA earn a median of $36,078 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.82% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 2.80% below the Louisiana state average of $37,117.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$36,078
Nominal Salary
90.3
CoL Index
$39,953
Adjusted Salary

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

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

The nominal salary is $36,078. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 90.3, the purchasing-power equivalent is $39,953, a gain of $3,875.$30.7K$37.4K$44.1K$50.8K$57.5K$36,078NominalSalary$39,953CoL Adjusted(CoL: 90.3)β–² 10.74%US Median $50.0K

Slidell, LA has a cost-of-living index of 90.3 (below the national average of 100). A veterinary technologist and technician earning $36,078 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $39,953 in an average-cost city β€” an effective 10.74% boost.

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2019 BLS Actual

$25,493

2025 BLS Actual

$34,197

2026 Current Est.

$36,078

2019–2027 Growth

+49.3%

Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Slidell (2019–2027)

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 Slidell. Baseline $25,493 in 2025, projected to $38,062 by 2027.$23.0K$27.4K$31.8K$36.2K$40.6K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$25.5K$26.2K$26.6K$27.6K$31.6K$28.1K$34.2K$36.1K$38.1K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$25,493Actual
2020$26,171Actual
2021$26,597Actual
2022$27,600Actual
2023$31,570Actual
2024$28,073Actual
2025$34,197Actual
2026(current)$36,078Estimated
2027$38,062Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Slidell metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 34.1% from $25,493 (2019) to $34,197 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $38,062 by 2027 β€” a total increase of $12,569 (49.30%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Slidell 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

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$26,774 – $31,076
3-5 years (Mid Career)$31,076 – $36,078
5+ years (Experienced)$36,078 – $42,674
10+ years (Top Earner)$42,674 – $45,487

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 Slidell

When analyzing the local job market, it’s evident that only eight veterinary technologists and technicians are currently employed in Slidell, LA. The cost of living index, at 90.3, suggests that take-home purchasing power is favorable when considering these salaries. Among local employers, corporate chain hospitals such as VCA and BluePearl often provide competitive pay structures, while specialty referral hospitals command higher wages, especially for those with Veterinary Technician Specialty (VTS) credentials. The spread in pay usually reflects the type of practice, with roles in emergency and specialty care attracting more compensation due to the demand for specialized skills. For those looking to maximize their veterinary technologist and technician pay in Slidell, pursuing VTS certification, gaining experience in specialty practices, and being aware of shift differentials can significantly enhance earning potential in this evolving job market.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The estimated 2026 median veterinary technologist and technician salary in Slidell is $36,078/year ($17.34/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 5.50% annual growth). Salaries range from $26,774 at entry level (10th percentile) to $45,487 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Slidell at 27.8% 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 Slidell, LA a good place to work as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Slidell veterinary technologist and technician salaries are 27.8% below the national average and 2.8% below the Louisiana state average. The metro area employs approximately 8 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 Slidell?

The median veterinary technologist and technician salary in Slidell is $36,078, and the 90th percentile earns $45,487. 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 Slidell?

After adjusting for Slidell's cost-of-living index of 90.3 (where 100 equals the national average), the $36,078 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $39,953 in an average-cost city. This means your dollar goes 10.7% further in Slidell 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 Slidell?

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Slidell earn a median hourly rate of $17.34, which translates to approximately $36,078/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $12.87 for entry-level positions to $21.87 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

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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 $34,197 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Slidell 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 Slidell 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. Β· View source data at BLS.gov

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