Vet Tech salary

Albany vs Niagara Falls: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

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

Albany, NY
$61,981
$29.80/hr
Niagara Falls, NY
$53,334
$25.64/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAlbany, NYNiagara Falls, NY
Median Salary$61,981$53,334
Hourly Rate$29.80$25.64
Entry Level (P10)$50,018$40,818
25th Percentile$52,813$43,606
75th Percentile$67,383$62,903
Top Earner (P90)$79,442$66,681
Total Employed44010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Albany ($61,981) and Niagara Falls ($53,334) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.AlbanyNiagara FallsMedian Salary$61,981$53,334Entry Level (P10)$50,018$40,818Top Earner (P90)$79,442$66,681US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Albany and Niagara Falls is $8,647 (16.21%). 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,Niagara Falls spans $25,863. 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
Niagara Falls
P10 (Entry)$40,818
P25$43,606
Median$53,334
P75$62,903
P90 (Top)$66,681

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Albany ($62,251 effective) pays 35.28% more than Niagara Falls ($46,017 effective).

Albany
Nominal: $61,981
CoL Index: 99.566
Adjusted: $62,251
Niagara Falls
Nominal: $53,334
CoL Index: 115.9
Adjusted: $46,017

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 Niagara Falls 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 Niagara Falls over the same period.

Albany, NY

+42.8%

$41,150 (2019) → $58,750 (2025)

Niagara Falls, NY

+-3.7%

$52,523 (2024) → $50,554 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Albany or Niagara Falls?

Albany has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $61,981/year, compared to Niagara Falls at $53,334/year — a difference of $8,647 (16.21%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Albany and Niagara Falls?

Albany veterinary technologist and technicians earn $29.80/hr while Niagara Falls hygienists earn $25.64/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Albany to Niagara Falls as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Albany and Niagara Falls. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Albany = $62,251, Niagara Falls = $46,017), job availability (440 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Albany vs Niagara Falls?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $50,018 in Albany and $40,818 in Niagara Falls. 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