Vet Tech salary

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

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

Colorado Springs, CO
$49,195
$23.65/hr
Grand Junction, CO
$48,593
$23.36/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricColorado Springs, COGrand Junction, CO
Median Salary$49,195$48,593
Hourly Rate$23.65$23.36
Entry Level (P10)$37,917$38,254
25th Percentile$47,908$42,590
75th Percentile$59,122$52,159
Top Earner (P90)$61,433$59,903
Total Employed50090
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Colorado Springs ($49,195) and Grand Junction ($48,593) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.Colorado SpringsGrand JunctionMedian Salary$49,195$48,593Entry Level (P10)$37,917$38,254Top Earner (P90)$61,433$59,903US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Colorado Springs and Grand Junction is $602 (1.24%). Colorado Springs's median is -1.58% 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,Grand Junction spans $21,649. 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
Grand Junction
P10 (Entry)$38,254
P25$42,590
Median$48,593
P75$52,159
P90 (Top)$59,903

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Grand Junction ($50,896 effective) pays 4.19% more than Colorado Springs ($48,850 effective).

Colorado Springs
Nominal: $49,195
CoL Index: 100.707
Adjusted: $48,850
Grand Junction
Nominal: $48,593
CoL Index: 95.476
Adjusted: $50,896

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Colorado Springs if…

  • Higher median salary ($49,195/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($61,433)
  • Larger job market (500 employed)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Grand Junction if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $50,896)
  • 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 51.4% growth in Grand Junction over the same period.

Colorado Springs, CO

+27.6%

$36,540 (2019) → $46,630 (2025)

Grand Junction, CO

+51.4%

$30,420 (2019) → $46,060 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Colorado Springs has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $49,195/year, compared to Grand Junction at $48,593/year — a difference of $602 (1.24%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Colorado Springs and Grand Junction?

Colorado Springs veterinary technologist and technicians earn $23.65/hr while Grand Junction hygienists earn $23.36/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Colorado Springs and Grand Junction. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Colorado Springs = $48,850, Grand Junction = $50,896), job availability (500 vs 90 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $37,917 in Colorado Springs and $38,254 in Grand Junction. The Grand Junction 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