Vet Tech salary

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

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

Birmingham, AL
$39,141
$18.82/hr
Hoover, AL
$39,498
$18.99/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBirmingham, ALHoover, AL
Median Salary$39,141$39,498
Hourly Rate$18.82$18.99
Entry Level (P10)$31,650$29,590
25th Percentile$32,842$32,007
75th Percentile$43,339$48,304
Top Earner (P90)$52,666$52,787
Total Employed53017
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Birmingham ($39,141) and Hoover ($39,498) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.BirminghamHooverMedian Salary$39,141$39,498Entry Level (P10)$31,650$29,590Top Earner (P90)$52,666$52,787US Median $49,986

Verdict

Hoover, AL offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Birmingham.

The salary gap between Birmingham and Hoover is $357 (0.91%). Hoover's median is -20.98% 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,Hoover spans $23,197. Hoover 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
Hoover
P10 (Entry)$29,590
P25$32,007
Median$39,498
P75$48,304
P90 (Top)$52,787

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Hoover ($44,935 effective) pays 5.21% more than Birmingham ($42,710 effective).

Birmingham
Nominal: $39,141
CoL Index: 91.644
Adjusted: $42,710
Hoover
Nominal: $39,498
CoL Index: 87.9
Adjusted: $44,935

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Birmingham if…

  • Larger job market (530 employed)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Hoover if…

  • Higher median salary ($39,498/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($52,787)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $44,935)
  • 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 31.8% growth in Hoover over the same period.

Birmingham, AL

+10.3%

$33,630 (2019) → $37,100 (2025)

Hoover, AL

+31.8%

$28,400 (2024) → $37,439 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Hoover has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $39,498/year, compared to Birmingham at $39,141/year — a difference of $357 (0.91%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Birmingham and Hoover?

Birmingham veterinary technologist and technicians earn $18.82/hr while Hoover hygienists earn $18.99/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Birmingham and Hoover. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Birmingham = $42,710, Hoover = $44,935), job availability (530 vs 17 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $31,650 in Birmingham and $29,590 in Hoover. 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