Vet Tech salary

Baltimore vs Ellicott City: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Baltimore, MD and Ellicott City, MD. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Baltimore, MD
$49,216
$23.66/hr
Ellicott City, MD
$54,868
$26.38/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBaltimore, MDEllicott City, MD
Median Salary$49,216$54,868
Hourly Rate$23.66$26.38
Entry Level (P10)$39,731$40,627
25th Percentile$45,882$44,103
75th Percentile$62,023$65,542
Top Earner (P90)$78,555$70,729
Total Employed1,16015
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Baltimore ($49,216) and Ellicott City ($54,868) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.BaltimoreEllicott CityMedian Salary$49,216$54,868Entry Level (P10)$39,731$40,627Top Earner (P90)$78,555$70,729US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Baltimore and Ellicott City is $5,652 (11.48%). Ellicott City's median is +9.77% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Baltimore spans $38,824,Ellicott City spans $30,102. Baltimore has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Baltimore
P10 (Entry)$39,731
P25$45,882
Median$49,216
P75$62,023
P90 (Top)$78,555
Ellicott City
P10 (Entry)$40,627
P25$44,103
Median$54,868
P75$65,542
P90 (Top)$70,729

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Ellicott City ($50,199 effective) pays 6.57% more than Baltimore ($47,103 effective).

Baltimore
Nominal: $49,216
CoL Index: 104.487
Adjusted: $47,103
Ellicott City
Nominal: $54,868
CoL Index: 109.3
Adjusted: $50,199

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Baltimore if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($78,555)
  • Larger job market (1,160 employed)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Choose Ellicott City if…

  • Higher median salary ($54,868/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $50,199)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Baltimore grew 33.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 7.7% growth in Ellicott City over the same period.

Baltimore, MD

+33.6%

$34,910 (2019) → $46,650 (2025)

Ellicott City, MD

+7.7%

$48,299 (2024) → $52,008 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Baltimore or Ellicott City?

Ellicott City has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $54,868/year, compared to Baltimore at $49,216/year — a difference of $5,652 (11.48%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Baltimore and Ellicott City?

Baltimore veterinary technologist and technicians earn $23.66/hr while Ellicott City hygienists earn $26.38/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Baltimore to Ellicott City as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Baltimore and Ellicott City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Baltimore = $47,103, Ellicott City = $50,199), job availability (1,160 vs 15 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Baltimore vs Ellicott City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $39,731 in Baltimore and $40,627 in Ellicott City. The Ellicott City 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