Vet Tech salary

Birmingham vs Phenix City: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

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

Birmingham, AL
$39,141
$18.82/hr
Phenix City, AL
$38,494
$18.50/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBirmingham, ALPhenix City, AL
Median Salary$39,141$38,494
Hourly Rate$18.82$18.50
Entry Level (P10)$31,650$31,239
25th Percentile$32,842$32,907
75th Percentile$43,339$45,287
Top Earner (P90)$52,666$48,132
Total Employed5307
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Birmingham ($39,141) and Phenix City ($38,494) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.BirminghamPhenix CityMedian Salary$39,141$38,494Entry Level (P10)$31,650$31,239Top Earner (P90)$52,666$48,132US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Birmingham and Phenix City is $647 (1.68%). 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,Phenix City spans $16,893. 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
Phenix City
P10 (Entry)$31,239
P25$32,907
Median$38,494
P75$45,287
P90 (Top)$48,132

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Phenix City ($43,793 effective) pays 2.54% more than Birmingham ($42,710 effective).

Birmingham
Nominal: $39,141
CoL Index: 91.644
Adjusted: $42,710
Phenix City
Nominal: $38,494
CoL Index: 87.9
Adjusted: $43,793

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 Phenix City if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $43,793)
  • 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 Phenix City over the same period.

Birmingham, AL

+10.3%

$33,630 (2019) → $37,100 (2025)

Phenix City, AL

+31.8%

$27,678 (2024) → $36,487 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Birmingham has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $39,141/year, compared to Phenix City at $38,494/year — a difference of $647 (1.68%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Birmingham and Phenix City?

Birmingham veterinary technologist and technicians earn $18.82/hr while Phenix City hygienists earn $18.50/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Birmingham and Phenix City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Birmingham = $42,710, Phenix City = $43,793), job availability (530 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $31,650 in Birmingham and $31,239 in Phenix City. 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