Vet Tech salary

Chelmsford vs Worcester: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Chelmsford, MA and Worcester, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Chelmsford, MA
$48,472
$23.30/hr
Worcester, MA
$50,830
$24.43/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricChelmsford, MAWorcester, MA
Median Salary$48,472$50,830
Hourly Rate$23.30$24.43
Entry Level (P10)$38,037$39,193
25th Percentile$40,477$48,235
75th Percentile$58,961$63,078
Top Earner (P90)$63,784$64,608
Total Employed8520
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Chelmsford ($48,472) and Worcester ($50,830) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.ChelmsfordWorcesterMedian Salary$48,472$50,830Entry Level (P10)$38,037$39,193Top Earner (P90)$63,784$64,608US Median $49,986

Verdict

Worcester, MA offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Chelmsford.

The salary gap between Chelmsford and Worcester is $2,358 (4.86%). Worcester's median is +1.69% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Chelmsford spans $25,747,Worcester spans $25,415. Chelmsford has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Chelmsford
P10 (Entry)$38,037
P25$40,477
Median$48,472
P75$58,961
P90 (Top)$63,784
Worcester
P10 (Entry)$39,193
P25$48,235
Median$50,830
P75$63,078
P90 (Top)$64,608

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Worcester ($49,579 effective) pays 10.98% more than Chelmsford ($44,675 effective).

Chelmsford
Nominal: $48,472
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $44,675
Worcester
Nominal: $50,830
CoL Index: 102.523
Adjusted: $49,579

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Chelmsford if…

  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Worcester if…

  • Higher median salary ($50,830/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($64,608)
  • Larger job market (520 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $49,579)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Chelmsford grew -10.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 6.1% growth in Worcester over the same period.

Chelmsford, MA

+-10.9%

$51,568 (2024) → $45,945 (2025)

Worcester, MA

+6.1%

$45,400 (2019) → $48,180 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Chelmsford or Worcester?

Worcester has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $50,830/year, compared to Chelmsford at $48,472/year — a difference of $2,358 (4.86%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Chelmsford and Worcester?

Chelmsford veterinary technologist and technicians earn $23.30/hr while Worcester hygienists earn $24.43/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Chelmsford to Worcester as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Chelmsford and Worcester. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Chelmsford = $44,675, Worcester = $49,579), job availability (8 vs 520 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Chelmsford vs Worcester?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $38,037 in Chelmsford and $39,193 in Worcester. The Worcester 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