Vet Tech salary

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

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

Atlantic City, NJ
$48,541
$23.34/hr
Passaic, NJ
$56,362
$27.09/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAtlantic City, NJPassaic, NJ
Median Salary$48,541$56,362
Hourly Rate$23.34$27.09
Entry Level (P10)$37,273$43,920
25th Percentile$40,058$46,944
75th Percentile$49,691$70,200
Top Earner (P90)$65,041$77,443
Total Employed8018
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Atlantic City ($48,541) and Passaic ($56,362) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.Atlantic CityPassaicMedian Salary$48,541$56,362Entry Level (P10)$37,273$43,920Top Earner (P90)$65,041$77,443US Median $49,986

Verdict

Passaic, 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 Passaic is $7,821 (16.11%). Passaic's median is +12.76% 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,Passaic spans $33,523. Passaic 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
Passaic
P10 (Entry)$43,920
P25$46,944
Median$56,362
P75$70,200
P90 (Top)$77,443

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Atlantic City ($49,102 effective) pays 0.36% more than Passaic ($48,925 effective).

Atlantic City
Nominal: $48,541
CoL Index: 98.857
Adjusted: $49,102
Passaic
Nominal: $56,362
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $48,925

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)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $49,102)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Passaic if…

  • Higher median salary ($56,362/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($77,443)
  • 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 Passaic over the same period.

Atlantic City, NJ

+42.9%

$32,200 (2019) → $46,010 (2025)

Passaic, NJ

+3.0%

$51,868 (2024) → $53,424 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Passaic has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $56,362/year, compared to Atlantic City at $48,541/year — a difference of $7,821 (16.11%).

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

Atlantic City veterinary technologist and technicians earn $23.34/hr while Passaic hygienists earn $27.09/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Atlantic City and Passaic. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Atlantic City = $49,102, Passaic = $48,925), job availability (80 vs 18 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $37,273 in Atlantic City and $43,920 in Passaic. The Passaic 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