Vet Tech salary

Bangor vs South Portland: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Bangor, ME and South Portland, ME. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bangor, ME
$51,178
$24.60/hr
South Portland, ME
$53,459
$25.70/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBangor, MESouth Portland, ME
Median Salary$51,178$53,459
Hourly Rate$24.60$25.70
Entry Level (P10)$40,934$43,340
25th Percentile$51,094$44,480
75th Percentile$52,339$64,870
Top Earner (P90)$61,834$70,089
Total Employed904
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bangor ($51,178) and South Portland ($53,459) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.BangorSouth PortlandMedian Salary$51,178$53,459Entry Level (P10)$40,934$43,340Top Earner (P90)$61,834$70,089US Median $49,986

Verdict

South Portland, ME offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Bangor.

The salary gap between Bangor and South Portland is $2,281 (4.46%). South Portland's median is +6.95% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bangor spans $20,900,South Portland spans $26,749. South Portland has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Bangor
P10 (Entry)$40,934
P25$51,094
Median$51,178
P75$52,339
P90 (Top)$61,834
South Portland
P10 (Entry)$43,340
P25$44,480
Median$53,459
P75$64,870
P90 (Top)$70,089

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, South Portland ($53,674 effective) pays 1.21% more than Bangor ($53,030 effective).

Bangor
Nominal: $51,178
CoL Index: 96.508
Adjusted: $53,030
South Portland
Nominal: $53,459
CoL Index: 99.6
Adjusted: $53,674

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bangor if…

  • Larger job market (90 employed)
  • You prefer the Maine area and lifestyle

Choose South Portland if…

  • Higher median salary ($53,459/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($70,089)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $53,674)
  • You prefer the Maine area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Bangor grew 33.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 31.7% growth in South Portland over the same period.

Bangor, ME

+33.3%

$36,400 (2019) → $48,510 (2025)

South Portland, ME

+31.7%

$38,479 (2024) → $50,672 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Bangor or South Portland?

South Portland has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $53,459/year, compared to Bangor at $51,178/year — a difference of $2,281 (4.46%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bangor and South Portland?

Bangor veterinary technologist and technicians earn $24.60/hr while South Portland hygienists earn $25.70/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bangor to South Portland as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bangor and South Portland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bangor = $53,030, South Portland = $53,674), job availability (90 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Bangor vs South Portland?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $40,934 in Bangor and $43,340 in South Portland. The South Portland 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