Vet Tech salary

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

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

Atlantic City, NJ
$48,541
$23.34/hr
Princeton, NJ
$51,453
$24.74/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAtlantic City, NJPrinceton, NJ
Median Salary$48,541$51,453
Hourly Rate$23.34$24.74
Entry Level (P10)$37,273$39,739
25th Percentile$40,058$42,334
75th Percentile$49,691$60,942
Top Earner (P90)$65,041$64,753
Total Employed806
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Atlantic City ($48,541) and Princeton ($51,453) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.Atlantic CityPrincetonMedian Salary$48,541$51,453Entry Level (P10)$37,273$39,739Top Earner (P90)$65,041$64,753US Median $49,986

Verdict

Atlantic City and Princeton are closely matched on overall veterinary technologist and technician compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Atlantic City and Princeton is $2,912 (6.00%). Princeton's median is +2.93% 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,Princeton spans $25,014. Atlantic City has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Atlantic City
P10 (Entry)$37,273
P25$40,058
Median$48,541
P75$49,691
P90 (Top)$65,041
Princeton
P10 (Entry)$39,739
P25$42,334
Median$51,453
P75$60,942
P90 (Top)$64,753

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Atlantic City ($49,102 effective) pays 9.94% more than Princeton ($44,664 effective).

Atlantic City
Nominal: $48,541
CoL Index: 98.857
Adjusted: $49,102
Princeton
Nominal: $51,453
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $44,664

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Atlantic City if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($65,041)
  • Larger job market (80 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $49,102)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Princeton if…

  • Higher median salary ($51,453/year)
  • 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 -7.0% growth in Princeton over the same period.

Atlantic City, NJ

+42.9%

$32,200 (2019) → $46,010 (2025)

Princeton, NJ

+-7.0%

$52,424 (2024) → $48,771 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Princeton has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $51,453/year, compared to Atlantic City at $48,541/year — a difference of $2,912 (6.00%).

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

Atlantic City veterinary technologist and technicians earn $23.34/hr while Princeton hygienists earn $24.74/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Atlantic City and Princeton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Atlantic City = $49,102, Princeton = $44,664), job availability (80 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $37,273 in Atlantic City and $39,739 in Princeton. The Princeton 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