Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Brownsville, TX: $40,185 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Brownsville, TX earns a median $40,185/year (≈ $19.32/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Brownsville's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 86.0), that paycheck buys what $46,740 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the veterinary technologist and technician salary in Brownsville, TX, is projected to reach a median of $40,185, which is significantly lower than the national average of $49,986. The salary range varies from $23,632 at the 10th percentile to $52,687 at the 90th percentile, indicating a wide disparity in earnings based on experience, skills, and workplace environments. For those pursuing specialized pathways, such as the Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) in emergency and critical care or anesthesia, there is a potential to elevate one’s earning capacity significantly within this market. The figures presented are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and highlight the evolving landscape of veterinary technologist and technician pay in Brownsville, where workforce needs continue to grow amid a shortage of qualified professionals.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23,632 | $11.36 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36,914 | $17.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $40,185 | $19.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46,979 | $22.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52,687 | $25.33 |
Median Salary Position
19.61% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brownsville
In Brownsville, TX, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,055 (2026 est.). At $40,185, the local median is 19.61% below the national median of $49,986.
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At 40 hours/week in Brownsville: You'd be above the median
How Brownsville Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
Brownsville median: $40,185/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brownsville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $39,630 | +1.40% more |
| National Average | $49,986 | -19.61% less |
Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Brownsville, TX earn a median of $40,185 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.61% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 1.40% above the Texas state average of $39,630.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brownsville has a cost of living 14.03% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Brownsville, TX has a cost-of-living index of 85.975 (below the national average of 100). A veterinary technologist and technician earning $40,185 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $46,740 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.31% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$31,030
2025 BLS Actual
$38,090
2026 Current Est.
$40,185
2019–2027 Growth
+36.6%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Brownsville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,030 | Actual |
| 2020 | $27,670 | Actual |
| 2021 | $28,570 | Actual |
| 2022 | $28,680 | Actual |
| 2023 | $31,300 | Actual |
| 2024 | $32,200 | Actual |
| 2025 | $38,090 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40,185 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42,395 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brownsville metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 22.8% from $31,030 (2019) to $38,090 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $42,395 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,365 (36.63%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brownsville 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) | $23,632 – $36,914 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $36,914 – $40,185 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $40,185 – $46,979 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $46,979 – $52,687 |
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 Brownsville
The job market for veterinary technologists and technicians in Brownsville employs approximately 110 individuals, positioning it as a modest-sized sector with room for growth, especially as corporations consolidate veterinary practices. With a cost-of-living index of 85.975, the purchasing power for residents is favorable compared to national averages, though salaries still lag behind. Employers offering the highest pay include specialty referral hospitals, particularly those in emergency and specialty medicine, which tend to pay more than general practice clinics. Factors driving salary differentiation include the demand for VTS credentials in critical care and anesthesia, the tiered pay scales associated with corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl, and shift differentials offered by 24-hour emergency facilities. To maximize earnings in this market, aspiring veterinary technologists and technicians should consider further education and certification, particularly in specializations that offer higher compensation, and seek employment in environments that value these qualifications.
More salary data for Brownsville, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $38,090 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Brownsville 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