Vet Tech salary

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

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

Albany, NY
$61,981
$29.80/hr
Utica, NY
$53,214
$25.58/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAlbany, NYUtica, NY
Median Salary$61,981$53,214
Hourly Rate$29.80$25.58
Entry Level (P10)$50,018$48,277
25th Percentile$52,813$49,764
75th Percentile$67,383$60,620
Top Earner (P90)$79,442$61,390
Total Employed44080
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Albany ($61,981) and Utica ($53,214) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.AlbanyUticaMedian Salary$61,981$53,214Entry Level (P10)$50,018$48,277Top Earner (P90)$79,442$61,390US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Albany and Utica is $8,767 (16.47%). 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,Utica spans $13,113. 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
Utica
P10 (Entry)$48,277
P25$49,764
Median$53,214
P75$60,620
P90 (Top)$61,390

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Albany ($62,251 effective) pays 8.42% more than Utica ($57,418 effective).

Albany
Nominal: $61,981
CoL Index: 99.566
Adjusted: $62,251
Utica
Nominal: $53,214
CoL Index: 92.678
Adjusted: $57,418

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 Utica 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 42.8% growth in Utica over the same period.

Albany, NY

+42.8%

$41,150 (2019) → $58,750 (2025)

Utica, NY

+42.8%

$35,310 (2019) → $50,440 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Albany has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $61,981/year, compared to Utica at $53,214/year — a difference of $8,767 (16.47%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Albany and Utica?

Albany veterinary technologist and technicians earn $29.80/hr while Utica hygienists earn $25.58/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Albany and Utica. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Albany = $62,251, Utica = $57,418), job availability (440 vs 80 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $50,018 in Albany and $48,277 in Utica. 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