Vet Tech salary

Castle Rock vs Colorado Springs: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Castle Rock, CO and Colorado Springs, CO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Castle Rock, CO
$49,753
$23.92/hr
Colorado Springs, CO
$49,195
$23.65/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCastle Rock, COColorado Springs, CO
Median Salary$49,753$49,195
Hourly Rate$23.92$23.65
Entry Level (P10)$39,068$37,917
25th Percentile$41,816$47,908
75th Percentile$59,360$59,122
Top Earner (P90)$64,015$61,433
Total Employed14500
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Castle Rock ($49,753) and Colorado Springs ($49,195) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.Castle RockColorado SpringsMedian Salary$49,753$49,195Entry Level (P10)$39,068$37,917Top Earner (P90)$64,015$61,433US Median $49,986

Verdict

Castle Rock, CO offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Colorado Springs.

The salary gap between Castle Rock and Colorado Springs is $558 (1.13%). Castle Rock's median is -0.47% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Castle Rock spans $24,947,Colorado Springs spans $23,516. Castle Rock has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Castle Rock
P10 (Entry)$39,068
P25$41,816
Median$49,753
P75$59,360
P90 (Top)$64,015
Colorado Springs
P10 (Entry)$37,917
P25$47,908
Median$49,195
P75$59,122
P90 (Top)$61,433

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Colorado Springs ($48,850 effective) pays 3.09% more than Castle Rock ($47,384 effective).

Castle Rock
Nominal: $49,753
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $47,384
Colorado Springs
Nominal: $49,195
CoL Index: 100.707
Adjusted: $48,850

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Castle Rock if…

  • Higher median salary ($49,753/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($64,015)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Colorado Springs if…

  • Larger job market (500 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $48,850)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Castle Rock grew 8.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 27.6% growth in Colorado Springs over the same period.

Castle Rock, CO

+8.6%

$43,441 (2024) → $47,159 (2025)

Colorado Springs, CO

+27.6%

$36,540 (2019) → $46,630 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Castle Rock or Colorado Springs?

Castle Rock has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $49,753/year, compared to Colorado Springs at $49,195/year — a difference of $558 (1.13%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Castle Rock and Colorado Springs?

Castle Rock veterinary technologist and technicians earn $23.92/hr while Colorado Springs hygienists earn $23.65/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Castle Rock to Colorado Springs as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Castle Rock and Colorado Springs. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Castle Rock = $47,384, Colorado Springs = $48,850), job availability (14 vs 500 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Castle Rock vs Colorado Springs?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $39,068 in Castle Rock and $37,917 in Colorado Springs. The Castle Rock 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