Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Mississippi: $39,134 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Mississippi's 20 metropolitan areas, the average median veterinary technologist and technician pay sits at $39,134/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2056. Because Mississippi sits at BEA RPP 85.7 (14% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $45,664 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Pearl ($40,220), Tupelo ($40,211), Madison ($40,050).
The average median salary for veterinary technologists and technicians in Mississippi is projected to be $39,134 in 2026, significantly lower than the national median of $49,986, which reflects a disparity of 21.7%. The highest paying city in the state is Pearl, where salaries are expected to reach $42,432, while Hattiesburg offers the lowest at $36,967, highlighting a difference of $5,465 between these two locations. This salary variation can be influenced by factors such as cost of living, local demand for veterinary services, and the density of pet ownership in these areas. In Mississippi, veterinary technologists and technicians must adhere to state licensing requirements and specific scope of practice laws, which can influence job responsibilities and potential earnings. Factors driving demand in the state include an increasing pet population and a heightened focus on animal health and welfare. With a projected annual growth rate of 5.50%, the job market shows promise for those entering the field. As of the latest figures, there are around 380 employed veterinary technologists and technicians in the state, offering a steady job outlook for new entrants. Overall, while Mississippi’s salaries are below the national average, opportunities for growth exist, especially in urban areas.
Mississippi Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary Range
Overall salary range in Mississippi: $29,669 (lowest entry-level) to $56,077 (highest top earner)
Mississippi vs National Average
Mississippi veterinary technologists and technicians earn 21.71% less than the national median ($-10,852/year difference).
Mississippi Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary Distribution (2026)
Veterinary Technologist and Technician salaries in Mississippi range from $31,548 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $49,223 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $39,134. The Mississippi median is $10,852 below the US national median of $49,986. The average hourly rate is $18.81/hr. Approximately 380 veterinary technologist and technicians are employed across 20 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$54,530
2025 BLS Actual
$37,094
2026 Current Est.
$39,134
2019–2027 Growth
+-24.3%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Mississippi (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,530 | Actual |
| 2020 | $34,513 | Actual |
| 2021 | $27,765 | Actual |
| 2022 | $28,614 | Actual |
| 2023 | $33,385 | Actual |
| 2024 | $32,631 | Actual |
| 2025 | $37,094 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39,134 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41,287 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mississippi metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew -32.0% from $54,530 (2019) to $37,094 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $41,287 by 2027 — a total increase of $-13,243 (-24.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mississippi 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Mississippi
Lowest Paying Cities in Mississippi
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Hattiesburg | $36,967 |
| Gulfport | $38,634 |
| Jackson | $38,697 |
| Biloxi | $39,090 |
| Clinton | $39,387 |
Best Value Cities for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Mississippi
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Mississippi cities offer the most purchasing power for veterinary technologists and technicians.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pearl | $42,432 | 85.7 | $49,512 |
| Tupelo | $42,423 | 85.7 | $49,502 |
| Madison | $42,253 | 85.7 | $49,303 |
| Southaven | $42,140 | 85.7 | $49,172 |
| Horn Lake | $41,967 | 85.7 | $48,970 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Mississippi
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $31,548 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $39,134 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $49,223 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Mississippi metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 20 Cities in Mississippi
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pearl | $42,432 |
| 2 | Tupelo | $42,423 |
| 3 | Madison | $42,253 |
| 4 | Southaven | $42,140 |
| 5 | Horn Lake | $41,967 |
| 6 | Starkville | $41,658 |
| 7 | Ridgeland | $41,130 |
| 8 | Vicksburg | $41,130 |
| 9 | Oxford | $40,870 |
| 10 | Brandon | $40,826 |
| 11 | Meridian | $40,611 |
| 12 | Olive Branch | $40,531 |
| 13 | Hernando | $40,327 |
| 14 | Columbus | $40,282 |
| 15 | Laurel | $39,618 |
| 16 | Clinton | $39,387 |
| 17 | Biloxi | $39,090 |
| 18 | Jackson | $38,697 |
| 19 | Gulfport | $38,634 |
| 20 | Hattiesburg | $36,967 |
More Mississippi Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore veterinary technologist and technician hourly pay in Mississippi cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new veterinary technologists and technicians.
Explore More Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinary technologists and technicians make in Mississippi in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for veterinary technologists and technicians in Mississippi?
How does Mississippi veterinary technologist and technician pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level veterinary technologist and technician salary in Mississippi?
How many veterinary technologists and technicians are employed in Mississippi?
Which Mississippi city offers the best value for veterinary technologists and technicians?
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
Statewide 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. A 5.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 veterinary technologist and technician compensation across Mississippi. State averages are employment-weighted across 20 metro areas — larger metro areas with more veterinary technologists and technicianscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-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