Vet Tech salary

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

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

Buffalo, NY
$52,856
$25.41/hr
Rome, NY
$52,672
$25.32/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBuffalo, NYRome, NY
Median Salary$52,856$52,672
Hourly Rate$25.41$25.32
Entry Level (P10)$49,458$42,410
25th Percentile$51,505$44,615
75th Percentile$62,034$61,569
Top Earner (P90)$64,218$68,453
Total Employed4006
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Buffalo ($52,856) and Rome ($52,672) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.BuffaloRomeMedian Salary$52,856$52,672Entry Level (P10)$49,458$42,410Top Earner (P90)$64,218$68,453US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Buffalo and Rome is $184 (0.35%). 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,Rome spans $26,043. Rome 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
Rome
P10 (Entry)$42,410
P25$44,615
Median$52,672
P75$61,569
P90 (Top)$68,453

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Buffalo ($55,148 effective) pays 21.35% more than Rome ($45,446 effective).

Buffalo
Nominal: $52,856
CoL Index: 95.844
Adjusted: $55,148
Rome
Nominal: $52,672
CoL Index: 115.9
Adjusted: $45,446

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 Rome if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($68,453)
  • 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 -2.5% growth in Rome over the same period.

Buffalo, NY

+35.2%

$37,050 (2019) → $50,100 (2025)

Rome, NY

+-2.5%

$51,187 (2024) → $49,926 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Buffalo has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $52,856/year, compared to Rome at $52,672/year — a difference of $184 (0.35%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Buffalo and Rome?

Buffalo veterinary technologist and technicians earn $25.41/hr while Rome hygienists earn $25.32/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Buffalo and Rome. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Buffalo = $55,148, Rome = $45,446), job availability (400 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $49,458 in Buffalo and $42,410 in Rome. 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