Vet Tech salary

Colorado Springs vs Denver: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Colorado Springs, CO and Denver, CO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Colorado Springs, CO
$49,195
$23.65/hr
Denver, CO
$59,692
$28.70/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricColorado Springs, CODenver, CO
Median Salary$49,195$59,692
Hourly Rate$23.65$28.70
Entry Level (P10)$37,917$48,519
25th Percentile$47,908$51,537
75th Percentile$59,122$62,857
Top Earner (P90)$61,433$63,511
Total Employed5001,780
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Colorado Springs ($49,195) and Denver ($59,692) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.Colorado SpringsDenverMedian Salary$49,195$59,692Entry Level (P10)$37,917$48,519Top Earner (P90)$61,433$63,511US Median $49,986

Verdict

Denver, CO offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Colorado Springs.

The salary gap between Colorado Springs and Denver is $10,497 (21.34%). Denver's median is +19.42% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Colorado Springs spans $23,516,Denver spans $14,992. Colorado Springs has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Colorado Springs
P10 (Entry)$37,917
P25$47,908
Median$49,195
P75$59,122
P90 (Top)$61,433
Denver
P10 (Entry)$48,519
P25$51,537
Median$59,692
P75$62,857
P90 (Top)$63,511

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Denver ($56,429 effective) pays 15.52% more than Colorado Springs ($48,850 effective).

Colorado Springs
Nominal: $49,195
CoL Index: 100.707
Adjusted: $48,850
Denver
Nominal: $59,692
CoL Index: 105.782
Adjusted: $56,429

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Colorado Springs if…

  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Denver if…

  • Higher median salary ($59,692/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($63,511)
  • Larger job market (1,780 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $56,429)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Colorado Springs grew 27.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 52.3% growth in Denver over the same period.

Colorado Springs, CO

+27.6%

$36,540 (2019) → $46,630 (2025)

Denver, CO

+52.3%

$37,140 (2019) → $56,580 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Colorado Springs or Denver?

Denver has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $59,692/year, compared to Colorado Springs at $49,195/year — a difference of $10,497 (21.34%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Colorado Springs and Denver?

Colorado Springs veterinary technologist and technicians earn $23.65/hr while Denver hygienists earn $28.70/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Colorado Springs to Denver as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Colorado Springs and Denver. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Colorado Springs = $48,850, Denver = $56,429), job availability (500 vs 1,780 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Colorado Springs vs Denver?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $37,917 in Colorado Springs and $48,519 in Denver. The Denver 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