Vet Tech salary

Atlantic City vs Bridgewater: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Atlantic City, NJ and Bridgewater, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Atlantic City, NJ
$48,541
$23.34/hr
Bridgewater, NJ
$56,707
$27.26/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAtlantic City, NJBridgewater, NJ
Median Salary$48,541$56,707
Hourly Rate$23.34$27.26
Entry Level (P10)$37,273$43,123
25th Percentile$40,058$46,337
75th Percentile$49,691$66,769
Top Earner (P90)$65,041$70,995
Total Employed8010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Atlantic City ($48,541) and Bridgewater ($56,707) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.Atlantic CityBridgewaterMedian Salary$48,541$56,707Entry Level (P10)$37,273$43,123Top Earner (P90)$65,041$70,995US Median $49,986

Verdict

Bridgewater, NJ offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Atlantic City.

The salary gap between Atlantic City and Bridgewater is $8,166 (16.82%). Bridgewater's median is +13.45% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Atlantic City spans $27,768,Bridgewater spans $27,872. Bridgewater has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Atlantic City
P10 (Entry)$37,273
P25$40,058
Median$48,541
P75$49,691
P90 (Top)$65,041
Bridgewater
P10 (Entry)$43,123
P25$46,337
Median$56,707
P75$66,769
P90 (Top)$70,995

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Bridgewater ($49,225 effective) pays 0.25% more than Atlantic City ($49,102 effective).

Atlantic City
Nominal: $48,541
CoL Index: 98.857
Adjusted: $49,102
Bridgewater
Nominal: $56,707
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $49,225

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Atlantic City if…

  • Larger job market (80 employed)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Bridgewater if…

  • Higher median salary ($56,707/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($70,995)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $49,225)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Atlantic City grew 42.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 3.0% growth in Bridgewater over the same period.

Atlantic City, NJ

+42.9%

$32,200 (2019) → $46,010 (2025)

Bridgewater, NJ

+3.0%

$52,186 (2024) → $53,751 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Atlantic City or Bridgewater?

Bridgewater has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $56,707/year, compared to Atlantic City at $48,541/year — a difference of $8,166 (16.82%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Atlantic City and Bridgewater?

Atlantic City veterinary technologist and technicians earn $23.34/hr while Bridgewater hygienists earn $27.26/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Atlantic City to Bridgewater as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Atlantic City and Bridgewater. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Atlantic City = $49,102, Bridgewater = $49,225), job availability (80 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Atlantic City vs Bridgewater?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $37,273 in Atlantic City and $43,123 in Bridgewater. The Bridgewater 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