Vet Tech salary

Buffalo vs North Tonawanda: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

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

Buffalo, NY
$52,856
$25.41/hr
North Tonawanda, NY
$51,704
$24.86/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBuffalo, NYNorth Tonawanda, NY
Median Salary$52,856$51,704
Hourly Rate$25.41$24.86
Entry Level (P10)$49,458$41,133
25th Percentile$51,505$43,468
75th Percentile$62,034$63,215
Top Earner (P90)$64,218$68,375
Total Employed4008
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Buffalo ($52,856) and North Tonawanda ($51,704) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.BuffaloNorth TonawandaMedian Salary$52,856$51,704Entry Level (P10)$49,458$41,133Top Earner (P90)$64,218$68,375US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Buffalo and North Tonawanda is $1,152 (2.23%). Buffalo's median is +5.74% 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,North Tonawanda spans $27,242. North Tonawanda 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
North Tonawanda
P10 (Entry)$41,133
P25$43,468
Median$51,704
P75$63,215
P90 (Top)$68,375

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Buffalo ($55,148 effective) pays 23.62% more than North Tonawanda ($44,611 effective).

Buffalo
Nominal: $52,856
CoL Index: 95.844
Adjusted: $55,148
North Tonawanda
Nominal: $51,704
CoL Index: 115.9
Adjusted: $44,611

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Buffalo if…

  • Higher median salary ($52,856/year)
  • Larger job market (400 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $55,148)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Choose North Tonawanda if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($68,375)
  • 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 -3.7% growth in North Tonawanda over the same period.

Buffalo, NY

+35.2%

$37,050 (2019) → $50,100 (2025)

North Tonawanda, NY

+-3.7%

$50,918 (2024) → $49,009 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Buffalo has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $52,856/year, compared to North Tonawanda at $51,704/year — a difference of $1,152 (2.23%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Buffalo and North Tonawanda?

Buffalo veterinary technologist and technicians earn $25.41/hr while North Tonawanda hygienists earn $24.86/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Buffalo and North Tonawanda. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Buffalo = $55,148, North Tonawanda = $44,611), job availability (400 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $49,458 in Buffalo and $41,133 in North Tonawanda. The Buffalo 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