Vet Tech salary

Burlington vs Essex Junction: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

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

Burlington, VT
$52,813
$25.39/hr
Essex Junction, VT
$48,909
$23.52/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBurlington, VTEssex Junction, VT
Median Salary$52,813$48,909
Hourly Rate$25.39$23.52
Entry Level (P10)$51,231$37,800
25th Percentile$51,822$41,944
75th Percentile$59,534$58,992
Top Earner (P90)$62,751$63,059
Total Employed1906
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Burlington ($52,813) and Essex Junction ($48,909) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.BurlingtonEssex JunctionMedian Salary$52,813$48,909Entry Level (P10)$51,231$37,800Top Earner (P90)$62,751$63,059US Median $49,986

Verdict

Burlington, VT offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Essex Junction.

The salary gap between Burlington and Essex Junction is $3,904 (7.98%). 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,Essex Junction spans $25,259. Essex Junction 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
Essex Junction
P10 (Entry)$37,800
P25$41,944
Median$48,909
P75$58,992
P90 (Top)$63,059

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Burlington ($52,317 effective) pays 10.71% more than Essex Junction ($47,255 effective).

Burlington
Nominal: $52,813
CoL Index: 100.949
Adjusted: $52,317
Essex Junction
Nominal: $48,909
CoL Index: 103.5
Adjusted: $47,255

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)
  • Larger job market (190 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $52,317)
  • You prefer the Vermont area and lifestyle

Choose Essex Junction if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($63,059)
  • 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 Essex Junction over the same period.

Burlington, VT

+46.6%

$34,140 (2019) → $50,060 (2025)

Essex Junction, VT

+18.4%

$39,139 (2024) → $46,359 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Burlington has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $52,813/year, compared to Essex Junction at $48,909/year — a difference of $3,904 (7.98%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Burlington and Essex Junction?

Burlington veterinary technologist and technicians earn $25.39/hr while Essex Junction hygienists earn $23.52/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Burlington and Essex Junction. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Burlington = $52,317, Essex Junction = $47,255), job availability (190 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $51,231 in Burlington and $37,800 in Essex Junction. 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