Vet Tech salary

Birmingham vs Daphne: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Birmingham, AL and Daphne, AL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Birmingham, AL
$39,141
$18.82/hr
Daphne, AL
$38,257
$18.39/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBirmingham, ALDaphne, AL
Median Salary$39,141$38,257
Hourly Rate$18.82$18.39
Entry Level (P10)$31,650$28,810
25th Percentile$32,842$30,933
75th Percentile$43,339$44,727
Top Earner (P90)$52,666$51,085
Total Employed5306
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Birmingham ($39,141) and Daphne ($38,257) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.BirminghamDaphneMedian Salary$39,141$38,257Entry Level (P10)$31,650$28,810Top Earner (P90)$52,666$51,085US Median $49,986

Verdict

Birmingham, AL offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Daphne.

The salary gap between Birmingham and Daphne is $884 (2.31%). Birmingham's median is -21.70% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Birmingham spans $21,016,Daphne spans $22,275. Daphne has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Birmingham
P10 (Entry)$31,650
P25$32,842
Median$39,141
P75$43,339
P90 (Top)$52,666
Daphne
P10 (Entry)$28,810
P25$30,933
Median$38,257
P75$44,727
P90 (Top)$51,085

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Daphne ($43,523 effective) pays 1.90% more than Birmingham ($42,710 effective).

Birmingham
Nominal: $39,141
CoL Index: 91.644
Adjusted: $42,710
Daphne
Nominal: $38,257
CoL Index: 87.9
Adjusted: $43,523

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Birmingham if…

  • Higher median salary ($39,141/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($52,666)
  • Larger job market (530 employed)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Daphne if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $43,523)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Birmingham grew 10.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 41.5% growth in Daphne over the same period.

Birmingham, AL

+10.3%

$33,630 (2019) → $37,100 (2025)

Daphne, AL

+41.5%

$25,620 (2019) → $36,263 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Birmingham or Daphne?

Birmingham has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $39,141/year, compared to Daphne at $38,257/year — a difference of $884 (2.31%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Birmingham and Daphne?

Birmingham veterinary technologist and technicians earn $18.82/hr while Daphne hygienists earn $18.39/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Birmingham to Daphne as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Birmingham and Daphne. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Birmingham = $42,710, Daphne = $43,523), job availability (530 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Birmingham vs Daphne?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $31,650 in Birmingham and $28,810 in Daphne. The Birmingham area offers higher starting salaries.
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