Vet Tech salary

Brunswick vs Portland: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Brunswick, ME and Portland, ME. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Brunswick, ME
$46,070
$22.14/hr
Portland, ME
$53,689
$25.82/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBrunswick, MEPortland, ME
Median Salary$46,070$53,689
Hourly Rate$22.14$25.82
Entry Level (P10)$37,808$52,877
25th Percentile$39,336$53,362
75th Percentile$55,422$59,196
Top Earner (P90)$58,998$60,652
Total Employed4490
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Brunswick ($46,070) and Portland ($53,689) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.BrunswickPortlandMedian Salary$46,070$53,689Entry Level (P10)$37,808$52,877Top Earner (P90)$58,998$60,652US Median $49,986

Verdict

Portland, ME offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Brunswick.

The salary gap between Brunswick and Portland is $7,619 (16.54%). Portland's median is +7.41% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Brunswick spans $21,190,Portland spans $7,775. Brunswick has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Brunswick
P10 (Entry)$37,808
P25$39,336
Median$46,070
P75$55,422
P90 (Top)$58,998
Portland
P10 (Entry)$52,877
P25$53,362
Median$53,689
P75$59,196
P90 (Top)$60,652

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Portland ($52,710 effective) pays 13.95% more than Brunswick ($46,255 effective).

Brunswick
Nominal: $46,070
CoL Index: 99.6
Adjusted: $46,255
Portland
Nominal: $53,689
CoL Index: 101.858
Adjusted: $52,710

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Brunswick if…

  • You prefer the Maine area and lifestyle

Choose Portland if…

  • Higher median salary ($53,689/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($60,652)
  • Larger job market (490 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $52,710)
  • You prefer the Maine area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Brunswick grew 18.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 37.3% growth in Portland over the same period.

Brunswick, ME

+18.4%

$36,867 (2024) → $43,668 (2025)

Portland, ME

+37.3%

$37,070 (2019) → $50,890 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Brunswick or Portland?

Portland has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $53,689/year, compared to Brunswick at $46,070/year — a difference of $7,619 (16.54%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Brunswick and Portland?

Brunswick veterinary technologist and technicians earn $22.14/hr while Portland hygienists earn $25.82/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Brunswick to Portland as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Brunswick and Portland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Brunswick = $46,255, Portland = $52,710), job availability (4 vs 490 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Brunswick vs Portland?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $37,808 in Brunswick and $52,877 in Portland. The Portland 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