Vet Tech salary

Bellingham vs Pullman: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

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

Bellingham, WA
$62,625
$30.11/hr
Pullman, WA
$60,102
$28.90/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBellingham, WAPullman, WA
Median Salary$62,625$60,102
Hourly Rate$30.11$28.90
Entry Level (P10)$49,300$48,354
25th Percentile$50,081$50,879
75th Percentile$67,984$73,778
Top Earner (P90)$78,197$80,189
Total Employed1006
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bellingham ($62,625) and Pullman ($60,102) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.BellinghamPullmanMedian Salary$62,625$60,102Entry Level (P10)$49,300$48,354Top Earner (P90)$78,197$80,189US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Bellingham and Pullman is $2,523 (4.20%). 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,Pullman spans $31,835. Pullman 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
Pullman
P10 (Entry)$48,354
P25$50,879
Median$60,102
P75$73,778
P90 (Top)$80,189

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Bellingham ($60,604 effective) pays 8.30% more than Pullman ($55,961 effective).

Bellingham
Nominal: $62,625
CoL Index: 103.334
Adjusted: $60,604
Pullman
Nominal: $60,102
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $55,961

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 Pullman if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($80,189)
  • 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 Pullman over the same period.

Bellingham, WA

+34.5%

$44,140 (2019) → $59,360 (2025)

Pullman, WA

+10.5%

$51,537 (2024) → $56,969 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Bellingham has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $62,625/year, compared to Pullman at $60,102/year — a difference of $2,523 (4.20%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bellingham and Pullman?

Bellingham veterinary technologist and technicians earn $30.11/hr while Pullman hygienists earn $28.90/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bellingham and Pullman. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bellingham = $60,604, Pullman = $55,961), job availability (100 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $49,300 in Bellingham and $48,354 in Pullman. 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