Vet Tech salary

Albany vs Valley Stream: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

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

Albany, NY
$61,981
$29.80/hr
Valley Stream, NY
$52,544
$25.26/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAlbany, NYValley Stream, NY
Median Salary$61,981$52,544
Hourly Rate$29.80$25.26
Entry Level (P10)$50,018$38,688
25th Percentile$52,813$45,198
75th Percentile$67,383$64,063
Top Earner (P90)$79,442$69,387
Total Employed44010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Albany ($61,981) and Valley Stream ($52,544) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.AlbanyValley StreamMedian Salary$61,981$52,544Entry Level (P10)$50,018$38,688Top Earner (P90)$79,442$69,387US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Albany and Valley Stream is $9,437 (17.96%). 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,Valley Stream spans $30,699. Valley Stream has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Albany
P10 (Entry)$50,018
P25$52,813
Median$61,981
P75$67,383
P90 (Top)$79,442
Valley Stream
P10 (Entry)$38,688
P25$45,198
Median$52,544
P75$64,063
P90 (Top)$69,387

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Albany ($62,251 effective) pays 37.31% more than Valley Stream ($45,336 effective).

Albany
Nominal: $61,981
CoL Index: 99.566
Adjusted: $62,251
Valley Stream
Nominal: $52,544
CoL Index: 115.9
Adjusted: $45,336

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 Valley Stream 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 -3.8% growth in Valley Stream over the same period.

Albany, NY

+42.8%

$41,150 (2019) → $58,750 (2025)

Valley Stream, NY

+-3.8%

$51,746 (2024) → $49,805 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Albany has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $61,981/year, compared to Valley Stream at $52,544/year — a difference of $9,437 (17.96%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Albany and Valley Stream?

Albany veterinary technologist and technicians earn $29.80/hr while Valley Stream hygienists earn $25.26/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Albany and Valley Stream. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Albany = $62,251, Valley Stream = $45,336), job availability (440 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $50,018 in Albany and $38,688 in Valley Stream. 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