Vet Tech salary

Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Sugar Land, TX: $39,527 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Sugar Land, TX earns a median $39,527/year (≈ $19.00/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Sugar Land's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $41,174 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% below the Texas state average.

$39,527
Median Annual Salary
$19.00/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$30,108
Entry Level (P10)
$53,810
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Sugar Land, TX — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Sugar Land, TX veterinary technologist and technician salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In 2026, veterinary technologists and technicians in Sugar Land, TX, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $39,527, which is significantly lower than the national median of $49,986. The salary range for these professionals spans from $30,108 at the 10th percentile to $53,810 at the 90th percentile, reflecting varying levels of experience and specialization. Competitive factors in the local job market may impact this salary, as individuals who pursue the VTS specialty credential, particularly in emergency and critical care (ECC) or anesthesia, may command higher wages. This credentialing pathway can elevate earning potential in a market where specialized skills are increasingly valued, indicating a strong opportunity for career advancement for those in Sugar Land.

About the Sugar Land Market

Salary estimated from Texas average ($38,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$30,108$14.47
Lower Range (P25)$32,530$15.64
Median (P50)(typical)$39,527$19.00
Upper Range (P75)$48,778$23.45
Top Earners (P90)$53,810$25.87

Median Salary Position

$30,108$53,810
City Median: $39,527
National: $49,986
P10–P90 Range

20.92% below the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sugar Land

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for veterinary technologist and technicians in Sugar Land. The median salary is $39,527, compared to the national median of $49,986.$27.1K$34.4K$41.8K$49.1K$56.5K$30.1K10th Pctl$32.5K25th Pctl$39.5KMedian$48.8K75th Pctl$53.8K90th PctlUS Median$50.0K

In Sugar Land, TX, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,702 (2026 est.). At $39,527, the local median is 20.92% 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 Sugar Land metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$760
per week
$3,293
per month
$39,521
per year

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

How Sugar Land Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares

Sugar Land median: $39,527/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalarySugar Land Pays
Texas Average$39,646-0.30% less
National Average$49,986-20.92% less
Horizontal bar chart comparing veterinary technologist and technician median salary in Sugar Land ($39,527) with Texas average ($39,646) and the US national median ($49,986).Sugar Land$39,527Texas Avg$39,646-0.30%US National$49,986-20.92%

Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Sugar Land, TX earn a median of $39,527 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.92% lower than the national median of $49,986 and 0.30% below the Texas state average of $39,646.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$39,527
Nominal Salary
96
CoL Index
$41,174
Adjusted Salary

Sugar Land 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.

The nominal salary is $39,527. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 96, the purchasing-power equivalent is $41,174, a gain of $1,647.$33.6K$39.6K$45.5K$51.5K$57.5K$39,527NominalSalary$41,174CoL Adjusted(CoL: 96) 4.17%US Median $50.0K

Sugar Land, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A veterinary technologist and technician earning $39,527 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $41,174 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% 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

$27,929

2025 BLS Actual

$37,466

2026 Current Est.

$39,527

2019–2027 Growth

+49.3%

Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Sugar Land (20192027)

2019–2025: 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 Sugar Land. Baseline $27,929 in 2025, projected to $41,701 by 2027.$25.2K$30.0K$34.8K$39.6K$44.5K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$27.9K$28.7K$29.1K$30.2K$34.6K$36.4K$37.5K$39.5K$41.7K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$27,929Actual
2020$28,673Actual
2021$29,139Actual
2022$30,238Actual
2023$34,588Actual
2024$36,375Actual
2025$37,466Actual
2026(current)$39,527Estimated
2027$41,701Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sugar Land metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 34.1% from $27,929 (2019) to $37,466 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $41,701 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,772 (49.31%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sugar Land metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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)$30,108$32,530
3-5 years (Mid Career)$32,530$39,527
5+ years (Experienced)$39,527$48,778
10+ years (Top Earner)$48,778$53,810

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 Sugar Land

Examining the local job market reveals that there are currently 21 veterinary technologists and technicians employed in Sugar Land. With a cost of living index of 96, the economic landscape allows for a relatively comfortable standard of living compared to many other regions. Among employers, specialty referral hospitals, particularly those focused on emergencies or specific treatments, tend to offer higher pay compared to general practice veterinary clinics. The variation in salaries can largely be attributed to the demand for specialized skills—as those with VTS credentials or working in corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl often receive a pay scale differential. To maximize pay potential in this market, veterinary technologists and technicians should consider pursuing specialty certifications, seeking employment in emergency or specialty facilities, and exploring roles that offer mentorship opportunities or shift differentials in 24-hour settings.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do veterinary technologists and technicians make in Sugar Land, TX in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median veterinary technologist and technician salary in Sugar Land is $39,527/year ($19.00/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 5.50% annual growth). Salaries range from $30,108 at entry level (10th percentile) to $53,810 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Sugar Land at 20.9% 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 Sugar Land, TX a good place to work as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Sugar Land veterinary technologist and technician salaries are 20.9% below the national average and 0.3% below the Texas state average. The metro area employs approximately 21 veterinary technologists and technicians. With a cost-of-living index of 96, 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 Sugar Land?

The median veterinary technologist and technician salary in Sugar Land is $39,527, and the 90th percentile earns $53,810. 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 Sugar Land?

After adjusting for Sugar Land's cost-of-living index of 96 (where 100 equals the national average), the $39,527 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $41,174 in an average-cost city. This means your dollar goes 4.2% further in Sugar Land 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 Sugar Land?

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Sugar Land earn a median hourly rate of $19.00, which translates to approximately $39,527/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $14.47 for entry-level positions to $25.87 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 Texas

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 $37,466 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Sugar Land 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 Sugar Land 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. · View source data at BLS.gov

Last verified: