Vet Tech salary

Charleston vs Rock Hill: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

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

Charleston, SC
$44,289
$21.29/hr
Rock Hill, SC
$40,034
$19.24/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCharleston, SCRock Hill, SC
Median Salary$44,289$40,034
Hourly Rate$21.29$19.24
Entry Level (P10)$39,795$28,941
25th Percentile$40,132$33,302
75th Percentile$50,440$49,820
Top Earner (P90)$60,599$54,938
Total Employed56011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Charleston ($44,289) and Rock Hill ($40,034) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.CharlestonRock HillMedian Salary$44,289$40,034Entry Level (P10)$39,795$28,941Top Earner (P90)$60,599$54,938US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Charleston and Rock Hill is $4,255 (10.63%). 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,Rock Hill spans $25,997. Rock Hill has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Charleston
P10 (Entry)$39,795
P25$40,132
Median$44,289
P75$50,440
P90 (Top)$60,599
Rock Hill
P10 (Entry)$28,941
P25$33,302
Median$40,034
P75$49,820
P90 (Top)$54,938

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Charleston ($43,867 effective) pays 0.26% more than Rock Hill ($43,753 effective).

Charleston
Nominal: $44,289
CoL Index: 100.962
Adjusted: $43,867
Rock Hill
Nominal: $40,034
CoL Index: 91.5
Adjusted: $43,753

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 Rock Hill 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 Rock Hill over the same period.

Charleston, SC

+17.6%

$35,710 (2019) → $41,980 (2025)

Rock Hill, SC

+22.5%

$30,985 (2024) → $37,947 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Charleston has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $44,289/year, compared to Rock Hill at $40,034/year — a difference of $4,255 (10.63%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Charleston and Rock Hill?

Charleston veterinary technologist and technicians earn $21.29/hr while Rock Hill hygienists earn $19.24/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Charleston and Rock Hill. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Charleston = $43,867, Rock Hill = $43,753), job availability (560 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $39,795 in Charleston and $28,941 in Rock Hill. 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