Vet Tech salary

Burlington vs Colchester: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Burlington, VT and Colchester, VT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Burlington, VT
$52,813
$25.39/hr
Colchester, VT
$47,890
$23.02/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBurlington, VTColchester, VT
Median Salary$52,813$47,890
Hourly Rate$25.39$23.02
Entry Level (P10)$51,231$39,171
25th Percentile$51,822$40,908
75th Percentile$59,534$57,611
Top Earner (P90)$62,751$61,501
Total Employed1904
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Burlington ($52,813) and Colchester ($47,890) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.BurlingtonColchesterMedian Salary$52,813$47,890Entry Level (P10)$51,231$39,171Top Earner (P90)$62,751$61,501US Median $49,986

Verdict

Burlington, VT offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Colchester.

The salary gap between Burlington and Colchester is $4,923 (10.28%). Burlington's median is +5.66% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Burlington spans $11,520,Colchester spans $22,330. Colchester has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Burlington
P10 (Entry)$51,231
P25$51,822
Median$52,813
P75$59,534
P90 (Top)$62,751
Colchester
P10 (Entry)$39,171
P25$40,908
Median$47,890
P75$57,611
P90 (Top)$61,501

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Burlington ($52,317 effective) pays 13.07% more than Colchester ($46,271 effective).

Burlington
Nominal: $52,813
CoL Index: 100.949
Adjusted: $52,317
Colchester
Nominal: $47,890
CoL Index: 103.5
Adjusted: $46,271

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Burlington if…

  • Higher median salary ($52,813/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($62,751)
  • Larger job market (190 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $52,317)
  • You prefer the Vermont area and lifestyle

Choose Colchester if…

  • You prefer the Vermont area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Burlington grew 46.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 18.4% growth in Colchester over the same period.

Burlington, VT

+46.6%

$34,140 (2019) → $50,060 (2025)

Colchester, VT

+18.4%

$38,323 (2024) → $45,393 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Burlington or Colchester?

Burlington has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $52,813/year, compared to Colchester at $47,890/year — a difference of $4,923 (10.28%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Burlington and Colchester?

Burlington veterinary technologist and technicians earn $25.39/hr while Colchester hygienists earn $23.02/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Burlington to Colchester as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Burlington and Colchester. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Burlington = $52,317, Colchester = $46,271), job availability (190 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Burlington vs Colchester?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $51,231 in Burlington and $39,171 in Colchester. The Burlington 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