Vet Tech salary

Albany vs Syracuse: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

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

Albany, NY
$61,981
$29.80/hr
Syracuse, NY
$53,995
$25.95/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAlbany, NYSyracuse, NY
Median Salary$61,981$53,995
Hourly Rate$29.80$25.95
Entry Level (P10)$50,018$49,849
25th Percentile$52,813$51,009
75th Percentile$67,383$61,422
Top Earner (P90)$79,442$63,648
Total Employed440230
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Albany ($61,981) and Syracuse ($53,995) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.AlbanySyracuseMedian Salary$61,981$53,995Entry Level (P10)$50,018$49,849Top Earner (P90)$79,442$63,648US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Albany and Syracuse is $7,986 (14.79%). 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,Syracuse spans $13,799. 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
Syracuse
P10 (Entry)$49,849
P25$51,009
Median$53,995
P75$61,422
P90 (Top)$63,648

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Albany ($62,251 effective) pays 10.38% more than Syracuse ($56,396 effective).

Albany
Nominal: $61,981
CoL Index: 99.566
Adjusted: $62,251
Syracuse
Nominal: $53,995
CoL Index: 95.742
Adjusted: $56,396

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 Syracuse 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 34.7% growth in Syracuse over the same period.

Albany, NY

+42.8%

$41,150 (2019) → $58,750 (2025)

Syracuse, NY

+34.7%

$38,000 (2019) → $51,180 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Albany has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $61,981/year, compared to Syracuse at $53,995/year — a difference of $7,986 (14.79%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Albany and Syracuse?

Albany veterinary technologist and technicians earn $29.80/hr while Syracuse hygienists earn $25.95/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Albany and Syracuse. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Albany = $62,251, Syracuse = $56,396), job availability (440 vs 230 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $50,018 in Albany and $49,849 in Syracuse. 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