Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Tennessee: $45,520 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Tennessee's 30 metropolitan areas, the average median veterinary technologist and technician pay sits at $45,520/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-2056. Because Tennessee sits at BEA RPP 91.8 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $49,586 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Knoxville ($50,010), Nashville ($44,640), Franklin ($44,103).
In Tennessee, salaries for veterinary technologists and technicians in 2026 are projected to average $45,520, which is approximately 8.9% lower than the national median of $49,986. The highest-paying city in the state is Knoxville, offering an average salary of $52,761, while Tullahoma sits at the lower end with an average of $38,708. This salary gap between cities can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, demand for veterinary services, and the presence of educational institutions in larger cities like Knoxville and Nashville. The job market in Tennessee is expected to experience a growth rate of 5.50% annually, indicating a steady demand for professionals in this field. As of the latest data, there are approximately 1,634 veterinary technologists and technicians employed statewide. Licensing requirements in Tennessee enforce the need for specific certifications, shaping the scope of practice for veterinary technicians and technologists. This regulatory environment, combined with a growing awareness of pet health and wellness, continues to drive demand for these professionals. Major cities like Nashville, Franklin, and Murfreesboro also offer competitive salaries, reflecting their urban dynamics and population size.
Tennessee Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary Range
Overall salary range in Tennessee: $29,118 (lowest entry-level) to $64,376 (highest top earner)
Tennessee vs National Average
Tennessee veterinary technologists and technicians earn 8.93% less than the national median ($-4,466/year difference).
Tennessee Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary Distribution (2026)
Veterinary Technologist and Technician salaries in Tennessee range from $35,735 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $59,553 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $45,520. The Tennessee median is $4,466 below the US national median of $49,986. The average hourly rate is $21.88/hr. Approximately 1,634 veterinary technologist and technicians are employed across 30 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$31,225
2025 BLS Actual
$43,147
2026 Current Est.
$45,520
2019–2027 Growth
+53.8%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Tennessee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,225 | Actual |
| 2020 | $27,024 | Actual |
| 2021 | $31,299 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,358 | Actual |
| 2023 | $37,823 | Actual |
| 2024 | $36,719 | Actual |
| 2025 | $43,147 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45,520 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,024 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tennessee metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 38.2% from $31,225 (2019) to $43,147 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $48,024 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,799 (53.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tennessee 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 Tennessee
Lowest Paying Cities in Tennessee
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Tullahoma | $38,708 |
| Johnson City | $38,856 |
| Sevierville | $39,552 |
| Maryville | $39,781 |
| Cookeville | $39,806 |
Best Value Cities for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Tennessee
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Tennessee cities offer the most purchasing power for veterinary technologists and technicians.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Knoxville | $52,761 | 92.569 | $56,996 |
| Franklin | $46,529 | 91.8 | $50,685 |
| Kingsport | $43,814 | 86.447 | $50,683 |
| Murfreesboro | $46,261 | 91.8 | $50,393 |
| Nashville | $47,095 | 96.338 | $48,885 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Tennessee
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $35,735 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $45,520 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $59,553 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Tennessee metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 30 Cities in Tennessee
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Knoxville | $52,761 |
| 2 | Nashville | $47,095 |
| 3 | Franklin | $46,529 |
| 4 | Murfreesboro | $46,261 |
| 5 | Kingsport | $43,814 |
| 6 | Smyrna | $42,346 |
| 7 | Jackson | $42,266 |
| 8 | Bartlett | $42,134 |
| 9 | Collierville | $41,988 |
| 10 | Memphis | $41,894 |
| 11 | Spring Hill | $41,666 |
| 12 | Morristown | $41,484 |
| 13 | Chattanooga | $41,145 |
| 14 | Lebanon | $41,107 |
| 15 | Oak Ridge | $41,104 |
| 16 | Cleveland | $40,918 |
| 17 | Columbia | $40,827 |
| 18 | Germantown | $40,776 |
| 19 | Hendersonville | $40,693 |
| 20 | Gallatin | $40,623 |
| 21 | Brentwood | $40,412 |
| 22 | Clarksville | $40,290 |
| 23 | Shelbyville | $40,097 |
| 24 | Mount Juliet | $40,096 |
| 25 | La Vergne | $40,012 |
| 26 | Cookeville | $39,806 |
| 27 | Maryville | $39,781 |
| 28 | Sevierville | $39,552 |
| 29 | Johnson City | $38,856 |
| 30 | Tullahoma | $38,708 |
More Tennessee Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore veterinary technologist and technician hourly pay in Tennessee cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new veterinary technologists and technicians.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced veterinary technologists and technicians.
Explore More Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinary technologists and technicians make in Tennessee in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for veterinary technologists and technicians in Tennessee?
How does Tennessee veterinary technologist and technician pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level veterinary technologist and technician salary in Tennessee?
How many veterinary technologists and technicians are employed in Tennessee?
Which Tennessee 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 Tennessee. State averages are employment-weighted across 30 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