Vet Tech salary

Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Horn Lake, MS: $41,967 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Horn Lake, MS earns a median $41,967/year (โ‰ˆ $20.17/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 โ€” projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Horn Lake's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $48,970 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Mississippi state average.

$41,967
Median Annual Salary
$20.17/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$31,681
Entry Level (P10)
$56,077
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates ยท View source

Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Horn Lake, MS โ€” 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Horn Lake, MS veterinary technologist and technician salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In 2026, the projected median annual salary for veterinary technologists and technicians in Horn Lake, Mississippi is $41,967, a figure that trails significantly behind the national median of $49,986 by about 16.04%. Within this local context, salaries range from $31,681 at the lower tenth percentile to $56,077 at the ninety percentile, reflecting a diverse earning potential that can vary widely based on factors such as specialized skill sets and the type of practice. Salary estimates here are based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost variations, emphasizing the nuanced economic environment of Horn Lake's veterinary sector. Professionals considering their career trajectory should be aware that those employed in specialty hospitals typically command higher compensation compared to those in general practice settings, making this a critical factor when selecting a workplace in the area.

About the Horn Lake Market

Salary estimated from Mississippi average ($30,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$31,681$15.23
Lower Range (P25)$34,030$16.36
Median (P50)(typical)$41,967$20.17
Upper Range (P75)$49,183$23.64
Top Earners (P90)$56,077$26.96

Median Salary Position

$31,681$56,077
City Median: $41,967
National: $49,986
P10โ€“P90 Range

16.04% below the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Horn Lake

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for veterinary technologist and technicians in Horn Lake. The median salary is $41,967, compared to the national median of $49,986.$28.5K$36.1K$43.7K$51.3K$58.9K$31.7K10th Pctl$34.0K25th Pctl$42.0KMedian$49.2K75th Pctl$56.1K90th PctlUS Median$50.0K

In Horn Lake, MS, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $24,396 (2026 est.). At $41,967, the local median is 16.04% 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 Horn Lake metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$807
per week
$3,496
per month
$41,957
per year

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

How Horn Lake Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares

Horn Lake median: $41,967/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryHorn Lake Pays
Mississippi Average$42,823-2.00% less
National Average$49,986-16.04% less
Horizontal bar chart comparing veterinary technologist and technician median salary in Horn Lake ($41,967) with Mississippi average ($42,823) and the US national median ($49,986).Horn Lake$41,967Mississippi Avg$42,823-2.00%US National$49,986-16.04%

Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Horn Lake, MS earn a median of $41,967 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.04% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 2.00% below the Mississippi state average of $42,823.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$41,967
Nominal Salary
85.7
CoL Index
$48,970
Adjusted Salary

Horn Lake has a cost of living 14.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.

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

The nominal salary is $41,967. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 85.7, the purchasing-power equivalent is $48,970, a gain of $7,003.$35.7K$41.1K$46.6K$52.0K$57.5K$41,967NominalSalary$48,970CoL Adjusted(CoL: 85.7)โ–ฒ 16.69%US Median $50.0K

Horn Lake, MS has a cost-of-living index of 85.7 (below the national average of 100). A veterinary technologist and technician earning $41,967 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $48,970 in an average-cost city โ€” an effective 16.69% boost.

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2019 BLS Actual

$29,654

2025 BLS Actual

$39,779

2026 Current Est.

$41,967

2019โ€“2027 Growth

+49.3%

Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Horn Lake (2019โ€“2027)

2019โ€“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 Horn Lake. Baseline $29,654 in 2025, projected to $44,275 by 2027.$21.4K$28.1K$34.7K$41.4K$48.1K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$29.7K$30.4K$30.9K$32.1K$36.7K$25.2K$39.8K$42.0K$44.3K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$29,654Actual
2020$30,443Actual
2021$30,938Actual
2022$32,105Actual
2023$36,723Actual
2024$25,187Actual
2025$39,779Actual
2026(current)$41,967Estimated
2027$44,275Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Horn Lake metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 34.1% from $29,654 (2019) to $39,779 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $44,275 by 2027 โ€” a total increase of $14,621 (49.31%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (2019โ€“2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Horn Lake metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026โ€“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)$31,681 โ€“ $34,030
3-5 years (Mid Career)$34,030 โ€“ $41,967
5+ years (Experienced)$41,967 โ€“ $49,183
10+ years (Top Earner)$49,183 โ€“ $56,077

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 Horn Lake

Currently, Horn Lake employs six veterinary technologists and technicians, indicating a small but potentially stable local job market. The cost-of-living index for Horn Lake stands at 85.7, which suggests that while salaries may be lower than national averages, they could still afford a reasonable quality of life for residents. Employers that tend to offer competitive pay include corporate chain veterinary hospitals and specialty facilities, which can provide additional financial incentives for certifications like the VTS specialty credential in areas such as emergency care or anesthesia. The disparity in pay within the region can be attributed to various factors, including the type of facility, specialty credentials, and differentials associated with shifts at 24-hour emergency clinics. To maximize earning potential, individuals should pursue advanced certifications and consider positions at specialized hospitals or corporate chains that may offer more robust pay structures compared to general practice settings in Horn Lake, MS.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do veterinary technologists and technicians make in Horn Lake, MS in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median veterinary technologist and technician salary in Horn Lake is $41,967/year ($20.17/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 5.50% annual growth). Salaries range from $31,681 at entry level (10th percentile) to $56,077 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Horn Lake at 16.0% 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 Horn Lake, MS a good place to work as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Horn Lake veterinary technologist and technician salaries are 16.0% below the national average and 2.0% below the Mississippi state average. The metro area employs approximately 6 veterinary technologists and technicians. With a cost-of-living index of 85.7, 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 Horn Lake?

The median veterinary technologist and technician salary in Horn Lake is $41,967, and the 90th percentile earns $56,077. 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 Horn Lake?

After adjusting for Horn Lake's cost-of-living index of 85.7 (where 100 equals the national average), the $41,967 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $48,970 in an average-cost city. This means your dollar goes 16.7% further in Horn Lake 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 Horn Lake?

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Horn Lake earn a median hourly rate of $20.17, which translates to approximately $41,967/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $15.23 for entry-level positions to $26.96 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 Mississippi

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 $39,779 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Horn Lake 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 (P10โ€“P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.

Data Sources & Methodology

Salary data for Horn Lake 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. ยท View source data at BLS.gov

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