Vet Tech salary

Amherst vs Barnstable Town: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Amherst, MA and Barnstable Town, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Amherst, MA
$50,530
$24.30/hr
Barnstable Town, MA
$52,687
$25.33/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAmherst, MABarnstable Town, MA
Median Salary$50,530$52,687
Hourly Rate$24.30$25.33
Entry Level (P10)$37,646$41,493
25th Percentile$43,634$50,840
75th Percentile$59,873$64,366
Top Earner (P90)$63,881$67,552
Total Employed6200
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Amherst ($50,530) and Barnstable Town ($52,687) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.AmherstBarnstable TownMedian Salary$50,530$52,687Entry Level (P10)$37,646$41,493Top Earner (P90)$63,881$67,552US Median $49,986

Verdict

Barnstable Town, MA offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Amherst.

The salary gap between Amherst and Barnstable Town is $2,157 (4.27%). Barnstable Town's median is +5.40% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Amherst spans $26,235,Barnstable Town spans $26,059. Amherst has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Amherst
P10 (Entry)$37,646
P25$43,634
Median$50,530
P75$59,873
P90 (Top)$63,881
Barnstable Town
P10 (Entry)$41,493
P25$50,840
Median$52,687
P75$64,366
P90 (Top)$67,552

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Barnstable Town ($53,570 effective) pays 15.03% more than Amherst ($46,571 effective).

Amherst
Nominal: $50,530
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $46,571
Barnstable Town
Nominal: $52,687
CoL Index: 98.351
Adjusted: $53,570

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Amherst if…

  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Barnstable Town if…

  • Higher median salary ($52,687/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($67,552)
  • Larger job market (200 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $53,570)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Amherst grew -10.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 37.1% growth in Barnstable Town over the same period.

Amherst, MA

+-10.9%

$53,757 (2024) → $47,896 (2025)

Barnstable Town, MA

+37.1%

$36,420 (2019) → $49,940 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Amherst or Barnstable Town?

Barnstable Town has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $52,687/year, compared to Amherst at $50,530/year — a difference of $2,157 (4.27%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Amherst and Barnstable Town?

Amherst veterinary technologist and technicians earn $24.30/hr while Barnstable Town hygienists earn $25.33/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Amherst to Barnstable Town as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Amherst and Barnstable Town. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Amherst = $46,571, Barnstable Town = $53,570), job availability (6 vs 200 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Amherst vs Barnstable Town?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $37,646 in Amherst and $41,493 in Barnstable Town. The Barnstable Town 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