Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Lubbock, TX: $40,228 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Lubbock, TX earns a median $40,228/year (≈ $19.34/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Lubbock's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $41,904 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lubbock, Texas, veterinary technologists and technicians can expect a median annual salary of $40,228 in 2026, reflecting the prevalent corporate pay scales set by veterinary chains like VCA and BluePearl. The salary range for these professionals spans from $29,643 at the 10th percentile to $56,207 at the 90th percentile, indicating a considerable variance in potential earnings. These figures are derived from state-level estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional economic conditions. Compared to the national median salary of $49,986, Lubbock's compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians falls short by nearly 20%. Despite the slightly lower pay scale, the local labor market remains viable, which is particularly important given the ongoing national shortage of veterinary technicians.
About the Lubbock Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($38,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $29,643 | $14.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $32,536 | $15.65 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $40,228 | $19.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50,270 | $24.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $56,207 | $27.02 |
Median Salary Position
19.52% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lubbock
In Lubbock, TX, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,564 (2026 est.). At $40,228, the local median is 19.52% below the national median of $49,986.
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At 40 hours/week in Lubbock: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lubbock Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
Lubbock median: $40,228/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lubbock Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $39,634 | +1.50% more |
| National Average | $49,986 | -19.52% less |
Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Lubbock, TX earn a median of $40,228 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.52% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 1.50% above the Texas state average of $39,634.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lubbock has a cost of living 4.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lubbock, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A veterinary technologist and technician earning $40,228 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $41,904 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$28,000
2025 BLS Actual
$38,131
2026 Current Est.
$40,228
2019–2027 Growth
+51.6%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Lubbock (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28,000 | Actual |
| 2020 | $29,000 | Actual |
| 2021 | $29,470 | Actual |
| 2022 | $29,880 | Actual |
| 2023 | $29,190 | Actual |
| 2024 | $35,770 | Actual |
| 2025 | $38,131 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40,228 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42,441 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lubbock metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 36.2% from $28,000 (2019) to $38,131 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $42,441 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,441 (51.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lubbock 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) | $29,643 – $32,536 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $32,536 – $40,228 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $40,228 – $50,270 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $50,270 – $56,207 |
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 Lubbock
Currently, there are about 39 veterinary technologists and technicians employed in Lubbock, reflecting a competitive job market. The cost of living index in the area is set at 96, meaning that the purchasing power is favorable compared to the national average. This context makes the salaries in Lubbock more appealing, particularly for those seeking a career in general practice, corporate hospitals, or specialty referral settings. Corporate chains often provide the higher salaries, especially for those with VTS specialty credentials, which can lead to compensation of $30-$45+ per hour. The discrepancy between lower and higher earnings often hinges on various factors like experience, specialty areas, corporate scale impact, and the demand for emergency and critical care technicians. To maximize earnings in this market, professionals should consider pursuing specialty certifications, staying abreast of job openings in higher-paying practices, and advocating for competitive wages in their current roles.
More salary data for Lubbock, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinary technologists and technicians make in Lubbock, TX in 2026?
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Can veterinary technologists and technicians make $100K in Lubbock?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted veterinary technologist and technician salary in Lubbock?
How much does a veterinary technologist and technician make per hour in Lubbock?
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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 $38,131 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Lubbock 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
Salary data for Lubbock is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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