Vet Tech salary

Buffalo vs Kingston: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Buffalo, NY and Kingston, NY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Buffalo, NY
$52,856
$25.41/hr
Kingston, NY
$62,308
$29.96/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBuffalo, NYKingston, NY
Median Salary$52,856$62,308
Hourly Rate$25.41$29.96
Entry Level (P10)$49,458$49,944
25th Percentile$51,505$53,594
75th Percentile$62,034$63,543
Top Earner (P90)$64,218$82,227
Total Employed40060
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Buffalo ($52,856) and Kingston ($62,308) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.BuffaloKingstonMedian Salary$52,856$62,308Entry Level (P10)$49,458$49,944Top Earner (P90)$64,218$82,227US Median $49,986

Verdict

Kingston, NY offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Buffalo.

The salary gap between Buffalo and Kingston is $9,452 (17.88%). Kingston's median is +24.65% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Buffalo spans $14,760,Kingston spans $32,283. Kingston has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Buffalo
P10 (Entry)$49,458
P25$51,505
Median$52,856
P75$62,034
P90 (Top)$64,218
Kingston
P10 (Entry)$49,944
P25$53,594
Median$62,308
P75$63,543
P90 (Top)$82,227

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Kingston ($61,869 effective) pays 12.19% more than Buffalo ($55,148 effective).

Buffalo
Nominal: $52,856
CoL Index: 95.844
Adjusted: $55,148
Kingston
Nominal: $62,308
CoL Index: 100.709
Adjusted: $61,869

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Buffalo if…

  • Larger job market (400 employed)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Choose Kingston if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,308/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($82,227)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $61,869)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Buffalo grew 35.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 30.4% growth in Kingston over the same period.

Buffalo, NY

+35.2%

$37,050 (2019) → $50,100 (2025)

Kingston, NY

+30.4%

$45,300 (2019) → $59,060 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Buffalo or Kingston?

Kingston has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $62,308/year, compared to Buffalo at $52,856/year — a difference of $9,452 (17.88%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Buffalo and Kingston?

Buffalo veterinary technologist and technicians earn $25.41/hr while Kingston hygienists earn $29.96/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Buffalo to Kingston as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Buffalo and Kingston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Buffalo = $55,148, Kingston = $61,869), job availability (400 vs 60 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Buffalo vs Kingston?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $49,458 in Buffalo and $49,944 in Kingston. The Kingston 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