Vet Tech salary

Charleston vs Conway: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Charleston, SC and Conway, SC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Charleston, SC
$44,289
$21.29/hr
Conway, SC
$37,901
$18.22/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCharleston, SCConway, SC
Median Salary$44,289$37,901
Hourly Rate$21.29$18.22
Entry Level (P10)$39,795$30,959
25th Percentile$40,132$32,225
75th Percentile$50,440$44,706
Top Earner (P90)$60,599$47,054
Total Employed5604
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Charleston ($44,289) and Conway ($37,901) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.CharlestonConwayMedian Salary$44,289$37,901Entry Level (P10)$39,795$30,959Top Earner (P90)$60,599$47,054US Median $49,986

Verdict

Charleston, SC offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Conway.

The salary gap between Charleston and Conway is $6,388 (16.85%). Charleston's median is -11.40% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Charleston spans $20,804,Conway spans $16,095. Charleston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Charleston
P10 (Entry)$39,795
P25$40,132
Median$44,289
P75$50,440
P90 (Top)$60,599
Conway
P10 (Entry)$30,959
P25$32,225
Median$37,901
P75$44,706
P90 (Top)$47,054

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Charleston ($43,867 effective) pays 5.90% more than Conway ($41,422 effective).

Charleston
Nominal: $44,289
CoL Index: 100.962
Adjusted: $43,867
Conway
Nominal: $37,901
CoL Index: 91.5
Adjusted: $41,422

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Charleston if…

  • Higher median salary ($44,289/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($60,599)
  • Larger job market (560 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $43,867)
  • You prefer the South Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Conway if…

  • You prefer the South Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Charleston grew 17.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 25.2% growth in Conway over the same period.

Charleston, SC

+17.6%

$35,710 (2019) → $41,980 (2025)

Conway, SC

+25.2%

$28,704 (2024) → $35,925 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Charleston or Conway?

Charleston has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $44,289/year, compared to Conway at $37,901/year — a difference of $6,388 (16.85%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Charleston and Conway?

Charleston veterinary technologist and technicians earn $21.29/hr while Conway hygienists earn $18.22/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Charleston to Conway as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Charleston and Conway. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Charleston = $43,867, Conway = $41,422), job availability (560 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Charleston vs Conway?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $39,795 in Charleston and $30,959 in Conway. The Charleston 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