Vet Tech salary

Albany vs Long Beach: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Albany, NY and Long Beach, NY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Albany, NY
$61,981
$29.80/hr
Long Beach, NY
$53,364
$25.66/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAlbany, NYLong Beach, NY
Median Salary$61,981$53,364
Hourly Rate$29.80$25.66
Entry Level (P10)$50,018$40,890
25th Percentile$52,813$43,668
75th Percentile$67,383$62,973
Top Earner (P90)$79,442$66,776
Total Employed4407
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Albany ($61,981) and Long Beach ($53,364) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.AlbanyLong BeachMedian Salary$61,981$53,364Entry Level (P10)$50,018$40,890Top Earner (P90)$79,442$66,776US Median $49,986

Verdict

Albany, NY offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Long Beach.

The salary gap between Albany and Long Beach is $8,617 (16.15%). Albany's median is +24.00% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Albany spans $29,424,Long Beach spans $25,886. Albany has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Albany
P10 (Entry)$50,018
P25$52,813
Median$61,981
P75$67,383
P90 (Top)$79,442
Long Beach
P10 (Entry)$40,890
P25$43,668
Median$53,364
P75$62,973
P90 (Top)$66,776

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Albany ($62,251 effective) pays 35.20% more than Long Beach ($46,043 effective).

Albany
Nominal: $61,981
CoL Index: 99.566
Adjusted: $62,251
Long Beach
Nominal: $53,364
CoL Index: 115.9
Adjusted: $46,043

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Albany if…

  • Higher median salary ($61,981/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($79,442)
  • Larger job market (440 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $62,251)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Choose Long Beach if…

  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Albany grew 42.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -3.7% growth in Long Beach over the same period.

Albany, NY

+42.8%

$41,150 (2019) → $58,750 (2025)

Long Beach, NY

+-3.7%

$52,552 (2024) → $50,582 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Albany or Long Beach?

Albany has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $61,981/year, compared to Long Beach at $53,364/year — a difference of $8,617 (16.15%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Albany and Long Beach?

Albany veterinary technologist and technicians earn $29.80/hr while Long Beach hygienists earn $25.66/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Albany to Long Beach as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Albany and Long Beach. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Albany = $62,251, Long Beach = $46,043), job availability (440 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Albany vs Long Beach?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $50,018 in Albany and $40,890 in Long Beach. The Albany area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.50% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

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