Vet Tech salary

Bellingham vs Mount Vernon: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

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

Bellingham, WA
$62,625
$30.11/hr
Mount Vernon, WA
$64,176
$30.85/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBellingham, WAMount Vernon, WA
Median Salary$62,625$64,176
Hourly Rate$30.11$30.85
Entry Level (P10)$49,300$50,577
25th Percentile$50,081$54,216
75th Percentile$67,984$80,528
Top Earner (P90)$78,197$84,590
Total Employed10040
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bellingham ($62,625) and Mount Vernon ($64,176) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.BellinghamMount VernonMedian Salary$62,625$64,176Entry Level (P10)$49,300$50,577Top Earner (P90)$78,197$84,590US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Bellingham and Mount Vernon is $1,551 (2.48%). Mount Vernon's median is +28.39% 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,Mount Vernon spans $34,013. Mount Vernon 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
Mount Vernon
P10 (Entry)$50,577
P25$54,216
Median$64,176
P75$80,528
P90 (Top)$84,590

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Mount Vernon ($62,646 effective) pays 3.37% more than Bellingham ($60,604 effective).

Bellingham
Nominal: $62,625
CoL Index: 103.334
Adjusted: $60,604
Mount Vernon
Nominal: $64,176
CoL Index: 102.443
Adjusted: $62,646

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bellingham if…

  • Larger job market (100 employed)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Mount Vernon if…

  • Higher median salary ($64,176/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($84,590)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $62,646)
  • 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 39.7% growth in Mount Vernon over the same period.

Bellingham, WA

+34.5%

$44,140 (2019) → $59,360 (2025)

Mount Vernon, WA

+39.7%

$43,550 (2019) → $60,830 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Bellingham or Mount Vernon?

Mount Vernon has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $64,176/year, compared to Bellingham at $62,625/year — a difference of $1,551 (2.48%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bellingham and Mount Vernon?

Bellingham veterinary technologist and technicians earn $30.11/hr while Mount Vernon hygienists earn $30.85/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bellingham to Mount Vernon as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bellingham and Mount Vernon. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bellingham = $60,604, Mount Vernon = $62,646), job availability (100 vs 40 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Bellingham vs Mount Vernon?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $49,300 in Bellingham and $50,577 in Mount Vernon. The Mount Vernon 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