Vet Tech salary

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

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

Birmingham, AL
$39,141
$18.82/hr
Madison, AL
$38,141
$18.34/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBirmingham, ALMadison, AL
Median Salary$39,141$38,141
Hourly Rate$18.82$18.34
Entry Level (P10)$31,650$29,486
25th Percentile$32,842$31,592
75th Percentile$43,339$46,495
Top Earner (P90)$52,666$50,723
Total Employed5309
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Birmingham ($39,141) and Madison ($38,141) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.BirminghamMadisonMedian Salary$39,141$38,141Entry Level (P10)$31,650$29,486Top Earner (P90)$52,666$50,723US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Birmingham and Madison is $1,000 (2.62%). 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,Madison spans $21,237. Madison 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
Madison
P10 (Entry)$29,486
P25$31,592
Median$38,141
P75$46,495
P90 (Top)$50,723

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Madison ($43,391 effective) pays 1.60% more than Birmingham ($42,710 effective).

Birmingham
Nominal: $39,141
CoL Index: 91.644
Adjusted: $42,710
Madison
Nominal: $38,141
CoL Index: 87.9
Adjusted: $43,391

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 Madison if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $43,391)
  • 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 Madison over the same period.

Birmingham, AL

+10.3%

$33,630 (2019) → $37,100 (2025)

Madison, AL

+31.8%

$27,425 (2024) → $36,153 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Birmingham has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $39,141/year, compared to Madison at $38,141/year — a difference of $1,000 (2.62%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Birmingham and Madison?

Birmingham veterinary technologist and technicians earn $18.82/hr while Madison hygienists earn $18.34/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Birmingham and Madison. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Birmingham = $42,710, Madison = $43,391), job availability (530 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $31,650 in Birmingham and $29,486 in Madison. 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