Vet Tech salary

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

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

Boston, MA
$53,773
$25.85/hr
Somerville, MA
$51,689
$24.85/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoston, MASomerville, MA
Median Salary$53,773$51,689
Hourly Rate$25.85$24.85
Entry Level (P10)$41,462$39,053
25th Percentile$51,094$42,134
75th Percentile$64,176$62,329
Top Earner (P90)$74,451$67,607
Total Employed2,97020
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boston ($53,773) and Somerville ($51,689) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.BostonSomervilleMedian Salary$53,773$51,689Entry Level (P10)$41,462$39,053Top Earner (P90)$74,451$67,607US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Boston and Somerville is $2,084 (4.03%). 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,Somerville spans $28,554. 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
Somerville
P10 (Entry)$39,053
P25$42,134
Median$51,689
P75$62,329
P90 (Top)$67,607

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boston ($49,667 effective) pays 4.26% more than Somerville ($47,640 effective).

Boston
Nominal: $53,773
CoL Index: 108.266
Adjusted: $49,667
Somerville
Nominal: $51,689
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $47,640

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 Somerville 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 Somerville over the same period.

Boston, MA

+20.4%

$42,320 (2019) → $50,970 (2025)

Somerville, MA

+-10.9%

$54,990 (2024) → $48,994 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Boston has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $53,773/year, compared to Somerville at $51,689/year — a difference of $2,084 (4.03%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boston and Somerville?

Boston veterinary technologist and technicians earn $25.85/hr while Somerville hygienists earn $24.85/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boston and Somerville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boston = $49,667, Somerville = $47,640), job availability (2,970 vs 20 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $41,462 in Boston and $39,053 in Somerville. 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