Vet Tech salary

Boston vs Chicopee: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Boston, MA and Chicopee, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boston, MA
$53,773
$25.85/hr
Chicopee, MA
$50,736
$24.39/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoston, MAChicopee, MA
Median Salary$53,773$50,736
Hourly Rate$25.85$24.39
Entry Level (P10)$41,462$36,801
25th Percentile$51,094$40,207
75th Percentile$64,176$61,141
Top Earner (P90)$74,451$69,518
Total Employed2,97010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boston ($53,773) and Chicopee ($50,736) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.BostonChicopeeMedian Salary$53,773$50,736Entry Level (P10)$41,462$36,801Top Earner (P90)$74,451$69,518US Median $49,986

Verdict

Boston, MA offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Chicopee.

The salary gap between Boston and Chicopee is $3,037 (5.99%). Boston's median is +7.58% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boston spans $32,989,Chicopee spans $32,717. Boston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Boston
P10 (Entry)$41,462
P25$51,094
Median$53,773
P75$64,176
P90 (Top)$74,451
Chicopee
P10 (Entry)$36,801
P25$40,207
Median$50,736
P75$61,141
P90 (Top)$69,518

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boston ($49,667 effective) pays 6.21% more than Chicopee ($46,761 effective).

Boston
Nominal: $53,773
CoL Index: 108.266
Adjusted: $49,667
Chicopee
Nominal: $50,736
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $46,761

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boston if…

  • Higher median salary ($53,773/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($74,451)
  • Larger job market (2,970 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $49,667)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Chicopee if…

  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Boston grew 20.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -10.9% growth in Chicopee over the same period.

Boston, MA

+20.4%

$42,320 (2019) → $50,970 (2025)

Chicopee, MA

+-10.9%

$53,976 (2024) → $48,091 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Boston or Chicopee?

Boston has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $53,773/year, compared to Chicopee at $50,736/year — a difference of $3,037 (5.99%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boston and Chicopee?

Boston veterinary technologist and technicians earn $25.85/hr while Chicopee hygienists earn $24.39/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boston to Chicopee as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boston and Chicopee. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boston = $49,667, Chicopee = $46,761), job availability (2,970 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Boston vs Chicopee?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $41,462 in Boston and $36,801 in Chicopee. The Boston area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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