Vet Tech salary

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

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

Boston, MA
$53,773
$25.85/hr
Northampton, MA
$50,480
$24.26/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoston, MANorthampton, MA
Median Salary$53,773$50,480
Hourly Rate$25.85$24.26
Entry Level (P10)$41,462$40,179
25th Percentile$51,094$42,571
75th Percentile$64,176$60,719
Top Earner (P90)$74,451$65,306
Total Employed2,9706
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boston ($53,773) and Northampton ($50,480) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.BostonNorthamptonMedian Salary$53,773$50,480Entry Level (P10)$41,462$40,179Top Earner (P90)$74,451$65,306US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Boston and Northampton is $3,293 (6.52%). 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,Northampton spans $25,127. 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
Northampton
P10 (Entry)$40,179
P25$42,571
Median$50,480
P75$60,719
P90 (Top)$65,306

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boston ($49,667 effective) pays 6.75% more than Northampton ($46,525 effective).

Boston
Nominal: $53,773
CoL Index: 108.266
Adjusted: $49,667
Northampton
Nominal: $50,480
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $46,525

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 Northampton 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 -7.9% growth in Northampton over the same period.

Boston, MA

+20.4%

$42,320 (2019) → $50,970 (2025)

Northampton, MA

+-7.9%

$51,926 (2024) → $47,848 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Boston has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $53,773/year, compared to Northampton at $50,480/year — a difference of $3,293 (6.52%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boston and Northampton?

Boston veterinary technologist and technicians earn $25.85/hr while Northampton hygienists earn $24.26/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boston and Northampton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boston = $49,667, Northampton = $46,525), job availability (2,970 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $41,462 in Boston and $40,179 in Northampton. 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