Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Austin, TX: $47,581 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Austin, TX earns a median $47,581/year (≈ $22.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Austin's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.1), that paycheck buys what $48,519 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 20.0% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the veterinary technologist and technician salary in Austin, TX, is projected to reach a median of $47,581, slightly lower than the national average of $49,986. Salaries in this field range significantly from $37,263 at the bottom (P10) to $57,571 at the top (P90), highlighting the impact of workplace settings on compensation. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, indicates that specialty hospitals tend to pay more than general practice clinics, reflecting the higher level of expertise and specialization required. The salary landscape in Austin suggests that those with advanced credentials, particularly Veterinary Technician Specialists (VTS), can command premium rates, positioning themselves favorably within a growing market in this vibrant city.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,263 | $17.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,708 | $18.61 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,581 | $22.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50,851 | $24.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57,571 | $27.67 |
Median Salary Position
4.81% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Austin
In Austin, TX, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $20,308 (2026 est.). At $47,581, the local median is 4.81% below the national median of $49,986.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Austin: You'd be above the median
How Austin Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
Austin median: $47,581/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Austin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $39,650 | +20.00% more |
| National Average | $49,986 | -4.81% less |
Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Austin, TX earn a median of $47,581 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.81% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 20.00% above the Texas state average of $39,650.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Austin has a cost of living 1.93% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Austin, TX has a cost-of-living index of 98.066 (below the national average of 100). A veterinary technologist and technician earning $47,581 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $48,519 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.97% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$31,400
2025 BLS Actual
$45,100
2026 Current Est.
$47,581
2019–2027 Growth
+59.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Austin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,400 | Actual |
| 2020 | $29,340 | Actual |
| 2021 | $35,230 | Actual |
| 2022 | $34,460 | Actual |
| 2023 | $36,100 | Actual |
| 2024 | $38,160 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,100 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,581 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,197 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Austin metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 43.6% from $31,400 (2019) to $45,100 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,197 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,797 (59.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Austin 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
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $37,263 – $38,708 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,708 – $47,581 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,581 – $50,851 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $50,851 – $57,571 |
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 Austin
With approximately 1,870 veterinary technologists and technicians employed in Austin, the job market is robust but faces competition, especially given the acute workforce shortage. The cost-of-living index for the area stands at 98.066, which indicates that the median salary may provide a reasonable quality of life, but careful budgeting is essential for maximizing take-home pay. Employers such as specialty referral hospitals and university teaching hospitals generally offer higher wages compared to general practice veterinary clinics and corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl. The spread between low and high pay often reflects the type of work performed, as skilled technicians in specialties like emergency care and anesthesia can earn significantly more. To maximize earnings, aspiring technicians should consider pursuing VTS credentials and seek employment in high-paying specialty settings or take advantage of shift differentials in 24-hour emergency hospitals.
More salary data for Austin, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinary technologists and technicians make in Austin, TX in 2026?
Is Austin, TX a good place to work as a veterinary technologist and technician?
Can veterinary technologists and technicians make $100K in Austin?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted veterinary technologist and technician salary in Austin?
How much does a veterinary technologist and technician make per hour in Austin?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Texas
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
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 $45,100 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Austin 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
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