Vet Tech salary

Blacksburg vs Newport News: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

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

Blacksburg, VA
$54,818
$26.35/hr
Newport News, VA
$50,762
$24.40/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBlacksburg, VANewport News, VA
Median Salary$54,818$50,762
Hourly Rate$26.35$24.40
Entry Level (P10)$36,419$39,302
25th Percentile$47,792$42,413
75th Percentile$66,286$63,293
Top Earner (P90)$69,525$70,200
Total Employed15039
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Blacksburg ($54,818) and Newport News ($50,762) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.BlacksburgNewport NewsMedian Salary$54,818$50,762Entry Level (P10)$36,419$39,302Top Earner (P90)$69,525$70,200US Median $49,986

Verdict

Blacksburg, VA offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Newport News.

The salary gap between Blacksburg and Newport News is $4,056 (7.99%). 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,Newport News spans $30,898. 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
Newport News
P10 (Entry)$39,302
P25$42,413
Median$50,762
P75$63,293
P90 (Top)$70,200

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Blacksburg ($59,128 effective) pays 20.21% more than Newport News ($49,188 effective).

Blacksburg
Nominal: $54,818
CoL Index: 92.71
Adjusted: $59,128
Newport News
Nominal: $50,762
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $49,188

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)
  • Larger job market (150 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $59,128)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Newport News if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($70,200)
  • 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 Newport News over the same period.

Blacksburg, VA

+37.5%

$37,780 (2019) → $51,960 (2025)

Newport News, VA

+15.7%

$41,601 (2024) → $48,116 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Blacksburg or Newport News?

Blacksburg has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $54,818/year, compared to Newport News at $50,762/year — a difference of $4,056 (7.99%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Blacksburg and Newport News?

Blacksburg veterinary technologist and technicians earn $26.35/hr while Newport News hygienists earn $24.40/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Blacksburg to Newport News as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Blacksburg and Newport News. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Blacksburg = $59,128, Newport News = $49,188), job availability (150 vs 39 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Blacksburg vs Newport News?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $36,419 in Blacksburg and $39,302 in Newport News. The Newport News 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