Vet Tech salary

Bellingham vs Moses Lake: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Bellingham, WA and Moses Lake, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bellingham, WA
$62,625
$30.11/hr
Moses Lake, WA
$60,414
$29.04/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBellingham, WAMoses Lake, WA
Median Salary$62,625$60,414
Hourly Rate$30.11$29.04
Entry Level (P10)$49,300$49,050
25th Percentile$50,081$51,520
75th Percentile$67,984$73,269
Top Earner (P90)$78,197$78,916
Total Employed1004
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bellingham ($62,625) and Moses Lake ($60,414) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.BellinghamMoses LakeMedian Salary$62,625$60,414Entry Level (P10)$49,300$49,050Top Earner (P90)$78,197$78,916US Median $49,986

Verdict

Bellingham, WA offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Moses Lake.

The salary gap between Bellingham and Moses Lake is $2,211 (3.66%). Bellingham's median is +25.29% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bellingham spans $28,897,Moses Lake spans $29,866. Moses Lake has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Bellingham
P10 (Entry)$49,300
P25$50,081
Median$62,625
P75$67,984
P90 (Top)$78,197
Moses Lake
P10 (Entry)$49,050
P25$51,520
Median$60,414
P75$73,269
P90 (Top)$78,916

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Bellingham ($60,604 effective) pays 7.74% more than Moses Lake ($56,251 effective).

Bellingham
Nominal: $62,625
CoL Index: 103.334
Adjusted: $60,604
Moses Lake
Nominal: $60,414
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $56,251

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bellingham if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,625/year)
  • Larger job market (100 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $60,604)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Moses Lake if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($78,916)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Bellingham grew 34.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 10.5% growth in Moses Lake over the same period.

Bellingham, WA

+34.5%

$44,140 (2019) → $59,360 (2025)

Moses Lake, WA

+10.5%

$51,804 (2024) → $57,264 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Bellingham or Moses Lake?

Bellingham has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $62,625/year, compared to Moses Lake at $60,414/year — a difference of $2,211 (3.66%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bellingham and Moses Lake?

Bellingham veterinary technologist and technicians earn $30.11/hr while Moses Lake hygienists earn $29.04/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bellingham to Moses Lake as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bellingham and Moses Lake. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bellingham = $60,604, Moses Lake = $56,251), job availability (100 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Bellingham vs Moses Lake?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $49,300 in Bellingham and $49,050 in Moses Lake. The Bellingham 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