Vet Tech salary

Blacksburg vs Springfield: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

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

Blacksburg, VA
$54,818
$26.35/hr
Springfield, VA
$48,491
$23.32/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBlacksburg, VASpringfield, VA
Median Salary$54,818$48,491
Hourly Rate$26.35$23.32
Entry Level (P10)$36,419$39,254
25th Percentile$47,792$41,229
75th Percentile$66,286$58,654
Top Earner (P90)$69,525$63,267
Total Employed1508
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Blacksburg ($54,818) and Springfield ($48,491) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.BlacksburgSpringfieldMedian Salary$54,818$48,491Entry Level (P10)$36,419$39,254Top Earner (P90)$69,525$63,267US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Blacksburg and Springfield is $6,327 (13.05%). 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,Springfield spans $24,013. 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
Springfield
P10 (Entry)$39,254
P25$41,229
Median$48,491
P75$58,654
P90 (Top)$63,267

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Blacksburg ($59,128 effective) pays 25.84% more than Springfield ($46,987 effective).

Blacksburg
Nominal: $54,818
CoL Index: 92.71
Adjusted: $59,128
Springfield
Nominal: $48,491
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $46,987

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 Springfield 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 Springfield over the same period.

Blacksburg, VA

+37.5%

$37,780 (2019) → $51,960 (2025)

Springfield, VA

+15.7%

$39,739 (2024) → $45,963 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Blacksburg has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $54,818/year, compared to Springfield at $48,491/year — a difference of $6,327 (13.05%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Blacksburg and Springfield?

Blacksburg veterinary technologist and technicians earn $26.35/hr while Springfield hygienists earn $23.32/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Blacksburg and Springfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Blacksburg = $59,128, Springfield = $46,987), job availability (150 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $36,419 in Blacksburg and $39,254 in Springfield. The Springfield 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