Vet Tech salary

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

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

Birmingham, AL
$39,141
$18.82/hr
Northport, AL
$38,199
$18.37/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBirmingham, ALNorthport, AL
Median Salary$39,141$38,199
Hourly Rate$18.82$18.37
Entry Level (P10)$31,650$28,671
25th Percentile$32,842$30,815
75th Percentile$43,339$45,414
Top Earner (P90)$52,666$48,542
Total Employed5305
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Birmingham ($39,141) and Northport ($38,199) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.BirminghamNorthportMedian Salary$39,141$38,199Entry Level (P10)$31,650$28,671Top Earner (P90)$52,666$48,542US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Birmingham and Northport is $942 (2.47%). 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,Northport spans $19,871. 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
Northport
P10 (Entry)$28,671
P25$30,815
Median$38,199
P75$45,414
P90 (Top)$48,542

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Northport ($43,457 effective) pays 1.75% more than Birmingham ($42,710 effective).

Birmingham
Nominal: $39,141
CoL Index: 91.644
Adjusted: $42,710
Northport
Nominal: $38,199
CoL Index: 87.9
Adjusted: $43,457

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 Northport if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $43,457)
  • 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 Northport over the same period.

Birmingham, AL

+10.3%

$33,630 (2019) → $37,100 (2025)

Northport, AL

+31.8%

$27,466 (2024) → $36,208 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Birmingham has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $39,141/year, compared to Northport at $38,199/year — a difference of $942 (2.47%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Birmingham and Northport?

Birmingham veterinary technologist and technicians earn $18.82/hr while Northport hygienists earn $18.37/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Birmingham and Northport. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Birmingham = $42,710, Northport = $43,457), job availability (530 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $31,650 in Birmingham and $28,671 in Northport. 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