Vet Tech salary

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

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

Blacksburg, VA
$54,818
$26.35/hr
Woodbridge, VA
$48,425
$23.28/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBlacksburg, VAWoodbridge, VA
Median Salary$54,818$48,425
Hourly Rate$26.35$23.28
Entry Level (P10)$36,419$39,093
25th Percentile$47,792$41,093
75th Percentile$66,286$56,678
Top Earner (P90)$69,525$64,766
Total Employed1509
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Blacksburg ($54,818) and Woodbridge ($48,425) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.BlacksburgWoodbridgeMedian Salary$54,818$48,425Entry Level (P10)$36,419$39,093Top Earner (P90)$69,525$64,766US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Blacksburg and Woodbridge is $6,393 (13.20%). 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,Woodbridge spans $25,673. 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
Woodbridge
P10 (Entry)$39,093
P25$41,093
Median$48,425
P75$56,678
P90 (Top)$64,766

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Blacksburg ($59,128 effective) pays 26.01% more than Woodbridge ($46,923 effective).

Blacksburg
Nominal: $54,818
CoL Index: 92.71
Adjusted: $59,128
Woodbridge
Nominal: $48,425
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $46,923

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 Woodbridge 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 Woodbridge over the same period.

Blacksburg, VA

+37.5%

$37,780 (2019) → $51,960 (2025)

Woodbridge, VA

+15.7%

$39,684 (2024) → $45,900 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Blacksburg has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $54,818/year, compared to Woodbridge at $48,425/year — a difference of $6,393 (13.20%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Blacksburg and Woodbridge?

Blacksburg veterinary technologist and technicians earn $26.35/hr while Woodbridge hygienists earn $23.28/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Blacksburg and Woodbridge. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Blacksburg = $59,128, Woodbridge = $46,923), job availability (150 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $36,419 in Blacksburg and $39,093 in Woodbridge. The Woodbridge 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