Vet Tech salary

Boise City vs Caldwell: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Boise City, ID and Caldwell, ID. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boise City, ID
$46,853
$22.52/hr
Caldwell, ID
$41,043
$19.73/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoise City, IDCaldwell, ID
Median Salary$46,853$41,043
Hourly Rate$22.52$19.73
Entry Level (P10)$38,697$29,428
25th Percentile$39,868$34,732
75th Percentile$49,902$49,204
Top Earner (P90)$51,168$53,203
Total Employed3608
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boise City ($46,853) and Caldwell ($41,043) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.Boise CityCaldwellMedian Salary$46,853$41,043Entry Level (P10)$38,697$29,428Top Earner (P90)$51,168$53,203US Median $49,986

Verdict

Boise City, ID offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Caldwell.

The salary gap between Boise City and Caldwell is $5,810 (14.16%). Boise City's median is -6.27% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boise City spans $12,471,Caldwell spans $23,775. Caldwell has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Boise City
P10 (Entry)$38,697
P25$39,868
Median$46,853
P75$49,902
P90 (Top)$51,168
Caldwell
P10 (Entry)$29,428
P25$34,732
Median$41,043
P75$49,204
P90 (Top)$53,203

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boise City ($47,619 effective) pays 10.57% more than Caldwell ($43,067 effective).

Boise City
Nominal: $46,853
CoL Index: 98.391
Adjusted: $47,619
Caldwell
Nominal: $41,043
CoL Index: 95.3
Adjusted: $43,067

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boise City if…

  • Higher median salary ($46,853/year)
  • Larger job market (360 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $47,619)
  • You prefer the Idaho area and lifestyle

Choose Caldwell if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($53,203)
  • You prefer the Idaho area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Boise City grew 36.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 12.5% growth in Caldwell over the same period.

Boise City, ID

+36.6%

$32,510 (2019) → $44,410 (2025)

Caldwell, ID

+12.5%

$34,578 (2024) → $38,903 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Boise City or Caldwell?

Boise City has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $46,853/year, compared to Caldwell at $41,043/year — a difference of $5,810 (14.16%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boise City and Caldwell?

Boise City veterinary technologist and technicians earn $22.52/hr while Caldwell hygienists earn $19.73/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boise City to Caldwell as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boise City and Caldwell. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boise City = $47,619, Caldwell = $43,067), job availability (360 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Boise City vs Caldwell?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $38,697 in Boise City and $29,428 in Caldwell. The Boise City 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