Vet Tech salary

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

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

Birmingham, AL
$39,141
$18.82/hr
Florence, AL
$31,144
$14.97/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBirmingham, ALFlorence, AL
Median Salary$39,141$31,144
Hourly Rate$18.82$14.97
Entry Level (P10)$31,650$29,825
25th Percentile$32,842$30,795
75th Percentile$43,339$38,138
Top Earner (P90)$52,666$48,741
Total Employed53040
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Birmingham ($39,141) and Florence ($31,144) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.BirminghamFlorenceMedian Salary$39,141$31,144Entry Level (P10)$31,650$29,825Top Earner (P90)$52,666$48,741US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Birmingham and Florence is $7,997 (25.68%). 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,Florence spans $18,916. Birmingham has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Birmingham
P10 (Entry)$31,650
P25$32,842
Median$39,141
P75$43,339
P90 (Top)$52,666
Florence
P10 (Entry)$29,825
P25$30,795
Median$31,144
P75$38,138
P90 (Top)$48,741

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Birmingham ($42,710 effective) pays 16.32% more than Florence ($36,719 effective).

Birmingham
Nominal: $39,141
CoL Index: 91.644
Adjusted: $42,710
Florence
Nominal: $31,144
CoL Index: 84.817
Adjusted: $36,719

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)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $42,710)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Florence if…

  • 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 3.9% growth in Florence over the same period.

Birmingham, AL

+10.3%

$33,630 (2019) → $37,100 (2025)

Florence, AL

+3.9%

$28,420 (2020) → $29,520 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Birmingham has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $39,141/year, compared to Florence at $31,144/year — a difference of $7,997 (25.68%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Birmingham and Florence?

Birmingham veterinary technologist and technicians earn $18.82/hr while Florence hygienists earn $14.97/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Birmingham and Florence. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Birmingham = $42,710, Florence = $36,719), job availability (530 vs 40 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $31,650 in Birmingham and $29,825 in Florence. 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