Vet Tech salary

Charleston vs Myrtle Beach: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

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

Charleston, SC
$44,289
$21.29/hr
Myrtle Beach, SC
$38,613
$18.56/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCharleston, SCMyrtle Beach, SC
Median Salary$44,289$38,613
Hourly Rate$21.29$18.56
Entry Level (P10)$39,795$35,754
25th Percentile$40,132$37,410
75th Percentile$50,440$48,087
Top Earner (P90)$60,599$49,279
Total Employed560160
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Charleston ($44,289) and Myrtle Beach ($38,613) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.CharlestonMyrtle BeachMedian Salary$44,289$38,613Entry Level (P10)$39,795$35,754Top Earner (P90)$60,599$49,279US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Charleston and Myrtle Beach is $5,676 (14.70%). 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,Myrtle Beach spans $13,525. 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
Myrtle Beach
P10 (Entry)$35,754
P25$37,410
Median$38,613
P75$48,087
P90 (Top)$49,279

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Charleston ($43,867 effective) pays 6.38% more than Myrtle Beach ($41,235 effective).

Charleston
Nominal: $44,289
CoL Index: 100.962
Adjusted: $43,867
Myrtle Beach
Nominal: $38,613
CoL Index: 93.642
Adjusted: $41,235

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 Myrtle Beach 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 21.2% growth in Myrtle Beach over the same period.

Charleston, SC

+17.6%

$35,710 (2019) → $41,980 (2025)

Myrtle Beach, SC

+21.2%

$30,200 (2019) → $36,600 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Charleston has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $44,289/year, compared to Myrtle Beach at $38,613/year — a difference of $5,676 (14.70%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Charleston and Myrtle Beach?

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

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Charleston and Myrtle Beach. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Charleston = $43,867, Myrtle Beach = $41,235), job availability (560 vs 160 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $39,795 in Charleston and $35,754 in Myrtle Beach. 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