Vet Tech salary

Blacksburg vs Falls Church: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Blacksburg, VA and Falls Church, VA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Blacksburg, VA
$54,818
$26.35/hr
Falls Church, VA
$46,445
$22.33/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBlacksburg, VAFalls Church, VA
Median Salary$54,818$46,445
Hourly Rate$26.35$22.33
Entry Level (P10)$36,419$37,888
25th Percentile$47,792$39,454
75th Percentile$66,286$54,681
Top Earner (P90)$69,525$57,718
Total Employed1505
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Blacksburg ($54,818) and Falls Church ($46,445) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.BlacksburgFalls ChurchMedian Salary$54,818$46,445Entry Level (P10)$36,419$37,888Top Earner (P90)$69,525$57,718US Median $49,986

Verdict

Blacksburg, VA offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Falls Church.

The salary gap between Blacksburg and Falls Church is $8,373 (18.03%). Blacksburg's median is +9.67% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Blacksburg spans $33,106,Falls Church spans $19,830. Blacksburg has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Blacksburg
P10 (Entry)$36,419
P25$47,792
Median$54,818
P75$66,286
P90 (Top)$69,525
Falls Church
P10 (Entry)$37,888
P25$39,454
Median$46,445
P75$54,681
P90 (Top)$57,718

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Blacksburg ($59,128 effective) pays 31.38% more than Falls Church ($45,005 effective).

Blacksburg
Nominal: $54,818
CoL Index: 92.71
Adjusted: $59,128
Falls Church
Nominal: $46,445
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $45,005

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Blacksburg if…

  • Higher median salary ($54,818/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($69,525)
  • Larger job market (150 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $59,128)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Falls Church if…

  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Blacksburg grew 37.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 15.7% growth in Falls Church over the same period.

Blacksburg, VA

+37.5%

$37,780 (2019) → $51,960 (2025)

Falls Church, VA

+15.7%

$38,063 (2024) → $44,024 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Blacksburg or Falls Church?

Blacksburg has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $54,818/year, compared to Falls Church at $46,445/year — a difference of $8,373 (18.03%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Blacksburg and Falls Church?

Blacksburg veterinary technologist and technicians earn $26.35/hr while Falls Church hygienists earn $22.33/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Blacksburg to Falls Church as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Blacksburg and Falls Church. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Blacksburg = $59,128, Falls Church = $45,005), job availability (150 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Blacksburg vs Falls Church?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $36,419 in Blacksburg and $37,888 in Falls Church. The Falls Church 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