Vet Tech salary

Augusta vs Gainesville: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Augusta, GA and Gainesville, GA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Augusta, GA
$39,352
$18.92/hr
Gainesville, GA
$40,333
$19.39/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAugusta, GAGainesville, GA
Median Salary$39,352$40,333
Hourly Rate$18.92$19.39
Entry Level (P10)$33,011$33,507
25th Percentile$37,431$39,003
75th Percentile$47,201$48,403
Top Earner (P90)$56,464$64,176
Total Employed18050
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Augusta ($39,352) and Gainesville ($40,333) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.AugustaGainesvilleMedian Salary$39,352$40,333Entry Level (P10)$33,011$33,507Top Earner (P90)$56,464$64,176US Median $49,986

Verdict

Gainesville, GA offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Augusta.

The salary gap between Augusta and Gainesville is $981 (2.49%). Gainesville's median is -19.31% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Augusta spans $23,453,Gainesville spans $30,669. Gainesville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Augusta
P10 (Entry)$33,011
P25$37,431
Median$39,352
P75$47,201
P90 (Top)$56,464
Gainesville
P10 (Entry)$33,507
P25$39,003
Median$40,333
P75$48,403
P90 (Top)$64,176

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Augusta ($42,819 effective) pays 2.73% more than Gainesville ($41,681 effective).

Augusta
Nominal: $39,352
CoL Index: 91.903
Adjusted: $42,819
Gainesville
Nominal: $40,333
CoL Index: 96.766
Adjusted: $41,681

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Augusta if…

  • Larger job market (180 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $42,819)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Gainesville if…

  • Higher median salary ($40,333/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($64,176)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Augusta grew 20.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 15.6% growth in Gainesville over the same period.

Augusta, GA

+20.1%

$31,060 (2019) → $37,300 (2025)

Gainesville, GA

+15.6%

$33,080 (2019) → $38,230 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Augusta or Gainesville?

Gainesville has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $40,333/year, compared to Augusta at $39,352/year — a difference of $981 (2.49%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Augusta and Gainesville?

Augusta veterinary technologist and technicians earn $18.92/hr while Gainesville hygienists earn $19.39/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Augusta to Gainesville as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Augusta and Gainesville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Augusta = $42,819, Gainesville = $41,681), job availability (180 vs 50 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Augusta vs Gainesville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $33,011 in Augusta and $33,507 in Gainesville. The Gainesville 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