Vet Tech salary

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

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

Barnstable Town, MA
$52,687
$25.33/hr
Watertown, MA
$50,332
$24.20/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBarnstable Town, MAWatertown, MA
Median Salary$52,687$50,332
Hourly Rate$25.33$24.20
Entry Level (P10)$41,493$38,679
25th Percentile$50,840$43,217
75th Percentile$64,366$59,400
Top Earner (P90)$67,552$63,240
Total Employed2007
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Barnstable Town ($52,687) and Watertown ($50,332) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.Barnstable TownWatertownMedian Salary$52,687$50,332Entry Level (P10)$41,493$38,679Top Earner (P90)$67,552$63,240US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Barnstable Town and Watertown is $2,355 (4.68%). 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,Watertown spans $24,561. 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
Watertown
P10 (Entry)$38,679
P25$43,217
Median$50,332
P75$59,400
P90 (Top)$63,240

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Barnstable Town ($53,570 effective) pays 15.48% more than Watertown ($46,389 effective).

Barnstable Town
Nominal: $52,687
CoL Index: 98.351
Adjusted: $53,570
Watertown
Nominal: $50,332
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $46,389

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 Watertown 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 Watertown over the same period.

Barnstable Town, MA

+37.1%

$36,420 (2019) → $49,940 (2025)

Watertown, MA

+-10.9%

$53,547 (2024) → $47,708 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Barnstable Town has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $52,687/year, compared to Watertown at $50,332/year — a difference of $2,355 (4.68%).

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

Barnstable Town veterinary technologist and technicians earn $25.33/hr while Watertown hygienists earn $24.20/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Barnstable Town and Watertown. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Barnstable Town = $53,570, Watertown = $46,389), job availability (200 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $41,493 in Barnstable Town and $38,679 in Watertown. 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