Vet Tech salary

Albany vs Saratoga Springs: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

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

Albany, NY
$61,981
$29.80/hr
Saratoga Springs, NY
$52,012
$25.00/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAlbany, NYSaratoga Springs, NY
Median Salary$61,981$52,012
Hourly Rate$29.80$25.00
Entry Level (P10)$50,018$41,933
25th Percentile$52,813$44,097
75th Percentile$67,383$60,837
Top Earner (P90)$79,442$69,499
Total Employed4407
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Albany ($61,981) and Saratoga Springs ($52,012) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.AlbanySaratoga SpringsMedian Salary$61,981$52,012Entry Level (P10)$50,018$41,933Top Earner (P90)$79,442$69,499US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Albany and Saratoga Springs is $9,969 (19.17%). 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,Saratoga Springs spans $27,566. 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
Saratoga Springs
P10 (Entry)$41,933
P25$44,097
Median$52,012
P75$60,837
P90 (Top)$69,499

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Albany ($62,251 effective) pays 38.72% more than Saratoga Springs ($44,877 effective).

Albany
Nominal: $61,981
CoL Index: 99.566
Adjusted: $62,251
Saratoga Springs
Nominal: $52,012
CoL Index: 115.9
Adjusted: $44,877

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 Saratoga Springs 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 Saratoga Springs over the same period.

Albany, NY

+42.8%

$41,150 (2019) → $58,750 (2025)

Saratoga Springs, NY

+-3.7%

$51,220 (2024) → $49,300 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Albany or Saratoga Springs?

Albany has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $61,981/year, compared to Saratoga Springs at $52,012/year — a difference of $9,969 (19.17%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Albany and Saratoga Springs?

Albany veterinary technologist and technicians earn $29.80/hr while Saratoga Springs hygienists earn $25.00/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Albany to Saratoga Springs as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Albany and Saratoga Springs. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Albany = $62,251, Saratoga Springs = $44,877), job availability (440 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Albany vs Saratoga Springs?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $50,018 in Albany and $41,933 in Saratoga Springs. 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