Vet Tech salary

Charleston vs Goose Creek: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

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

Charleston, SC
$44,289
$21.29/hr
Goose Creek, SC
$38,598
$18.56/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCharleston, SCGoose Creek, SC
Median Salary$44,289$38,598
Hourly Rate$21.29$18.56
Entry Level (P10)$39,795$31,089
25th Percentile$40,132$31,844
75th Percentile$50,440$46,574
Top Earner (P90)$60,599$50,175
Total Employed56011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Charleston ($44,289) and Goose Creek ($38,598) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.CharlestonGoose CreekMedian Salary$44,289$38,598Entry Level (P10)$39,795$31,089Top Earner (P90)$60,599$50,175US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Charleston and Goose Creek is $5,691 (14.74%). 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,Goose Creek spans $19,086. 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
Goose Creek
P10 (Entry)$31,089
P25$31,844
Median$38,598
P75$46,574
P90 (Top)$50,175

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Charleston ($43,867 effective) pays 3.99% more than Goose Creek ($42,184 effective).

Charleston
Nominal: $44,289
CoL Index: 100.962
Adjusted: $43,867
Goose Creek
Nominal: $38,598
CoL Index: 91.5
Adjusted: $42,184

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 Goose Creek 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 22.5% growth in Goose Creek over the same period.

Charleston, SC

+17.6%

$35,710 (2019) → $41,980 (2025)

Goose Creek, SC

+22.5%

$29,874 (2024) → $36,586 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Charleston has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $44,289/year, compared to Goose Creek at $38,598/year — a difference of $5,691 (14.74%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Charleston and Goose Creek?

Charleston veterinary technologist and technicians earn $21.29/hr while Goose Creek hygienists earn $18.56/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Charleston and Goose Creek. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Charleston = $43,867, Goose Creek = $42,184), job availability (560 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $39,795 in Charleston and $31,089 in Goose Creek. 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