Vet Tech salary

Barnstable Town vs Chelsea: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Barnstable Town, MA and Chelsea, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Barnstable Town, MA
$52,687
$25.33/hr
Chelsea, MA
$50,526
$24.30/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBarnstable Town, MAChelsea, MA
Median Salary$52,687$50,526
Hourly Rate$25.33$24.30
Entry Level (P10)$41,493$39,103
25th Percentile$50,840$41,670
75th Percentile$64,366$59,902
Top Earner (P90)$67,552$63,742
Total Employed2006
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Barnstable Town ($52,687) and Chelsea ($50,526) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.Barnstable TownChelseaMedian Salary$52,687$50,526Entry Level (P10)$41,493$39,103Top Earner (P90)$67,552$63,742US Median $49,986

Verdict

Barnstable Town, MA offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Chelsea.

The salary gap between Barnstable Town and Chelsea is $2,161 (4.28%). Barnstable Town's median is +5.40% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Barnstable Town spans $26,059,Chelsea spans $24,639. Barnstable Town has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Barnstable Town
P10 (Entry)$41,493
P25$50,840
Median$52,687
P75$64,366
P90 (Top)$67,552
Chelsea
P10 (Entry)$39,103
P25$41,670
Median$50,526
P75$59,902
P90 (Top)$63,742

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Barnstable Town ($53,570 effective) pays 15.04% more than Chelsea ($46,568 effective).

Barnstable Town
Nominal: $52,687
CoL Index: 98.351
Adjusted: $53,570
Chelsea
Nominal: $50,526
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $46,568

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Barnstable Town if…

  • Higher median salary ($52,687/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($67,552)
  • Larger job market (200 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $53,570)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Chelsea if…

  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Barnstable Town grew 37.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -10.9% growth in Chelsea over the same period.

Barnstable Town, MA

+37.1%

$36,420 (2019) → $49,940 (2025)

Chelsea, MA

+-10.9%

$53,753 (2024) → $47,892 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Barnstable Town or Chelsea?

Barnstable Town has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $52,687/year, compared to Chelsea at $50,526/year — a difference of $2,161 (4.28%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Barnstable Town and Chelsea?

Barnstable Town veterinary technologist and technicians earn $25.33/hr while Chelsea hygienists earn $24.30/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Barnstable Town to Chelsea as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Barnstable Town and Chelsea. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Barnstable Town = $53,570, Chelsea = $46,568), job availability (200 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Barnstable Town vs Chelsea?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $41,493 in Barnstable Town and $39,103 in Chelsea. The Barnstable Town 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