Vet Tech salary

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

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

Buffalo, NY
$52,856
$25.41/hr
Oneonta, NY
$50,521
$24.29/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBuffalo, NYOneonta, NY
Median Salary$52,856$50,521
Hourly Rate$25.41$24.29
Entry Level (P10)$49,458$42,011
25th Percentile$51,505$43,656
75th Percentile$62,034$60,175
Top Earner (P90)$64,218$63,908
Total Employed4005
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Buffalo ($52,856) and Oneonta ($50,521) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.BuffaloOneontaMedian Salary$52,856$50,521Entry Level (P10)$49,458$42,011Top Earner (P90)$64,218$63,908US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Buffalo and Oneonta is $2,335 (4.62%). 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,Oneonta spans $21,897. Oneonta 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
Oneonta
P10 (Entry)$42,011
P25$43,656
Median$50,521
P75$60,175
P90 (Top)$63,908

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Buffalo ($55,148 effective) pays 26.51% more than Oneonta ($43,590 effective).

Buffalo
Nominal: $52,856
CoL Index: 95.844
Adjusted: $55,148
Oneonta
Nominal: $50,521
CoL Index: 115.9
Adjusted: $43,590

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)
  • Better top-earner potential ($64,218)
  • Larger job market (400 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $55,148)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Choose Oneonta if…

  • 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 Oneonta over the same period.

Buffalo, NY

+35.2%

$37,050 (2019) → $50,100 (2025)

Oneonta, NY

+-3.7%

$49,752 (2024) → $47,887 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Buffalo has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $52,856/year, compared to Oneonta at $50,521/year — a difference of $2,335 (4.62%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Buffalo and Oneonta?

Buffalo veterinary technologist and technicians earn $25.41/hr while Oneonta hygienists earn $24.29/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Buffalo and Oneonta. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Buffalo = $55,148, job availability (400 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $49,458 in Buffalo and $42,011 in Oneonta. 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