Vet Tech salary

Albuquerque vs Roswell: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Albuquerque, NM and Roswell, NM. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Albuquerque, NM
$49,216
$23.66/hr
Roswell, NM
$46,289
$22.25/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAlbuquerque, NMRoswell, NM
Median Salary$49,216$46,289
Hourly Rate$23.66$22.25
Entry Level (P10)$36,820$35,097
25th Percentile$39,932$37,602
75th Percentile$51,568$55,356
Top Earner (P90)$60,842$59,123
Total Employed46012
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Albuquerque ($49,216) and Roswell ($46,289) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.AlbuquerqueRoswellMedian Salary$49,216$46,289Entry Level (P10)$36,820$35,097Top Earner (P90)$60,842$59,123US Median $49,986

Verdict

Albuquerque, NM offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Roswell.

The salary gap between Albuquerque and Roswell is $2,927 (6.32%). Albuquerque's median is -1.54% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Albuquerque spans $24,022,Roswell spans $24,026. Roswell has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Albuquerque
P10 (Entry)$36,820
P25$39,932
Median$49,216
P75$51,568
P90 (Top)$60,842
Roswell
P10 (Entry)$35,097
P25$37,602
Median$46,289
P75$55,356
P90 (Top)$59,123

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Albuquerque ($51,510 effective) pays 5.05% more than Roswell ($49,035 effective).

Albuquerque
Nominal: $49,216
CoL Index: 95.546
Adjusted: $51,510
Roswell
Nominal: $46,289
CoL Index: 94.4
Adjusted: $49,035

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Albuquerque if…

  • Higher median salary ($49,216/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($60,842)
  • Larger job market (460 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $51,510)
  • You prefer the New Mexico area and lifestyle

Choose Roswell if…

  • You prefer the New Mexico area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Albuquerque grew 31.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 39.4% growth in Roswell over the same period.

Albuquerque, NM

+31.8%

$35,400 (2019) → $46,650 (2025)

Roswell, NM

+39.4%

$31,486 (2024) → $43,876 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Albuquerque or Roswell?

Albuquerque has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $49,216/year, compared to Roswell at $46,289/year — a difference of $2,927 (6.32%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Albuquerque and Roswell?

Albuquerque veterinary technologist and technicians earn $23.66/hr while Roswell hygienists earn $22.25/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Albuquerque to Roswell as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Albuquerque and Roswell. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Albuquerque = $51,510, Roswell = $49,035), job availability (460 vs 12 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Albuquerque vs Roswell?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $36,820 in Albuquerque and $35,097 in Roswell. The Albuquerque area offers higher starting salaries.
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