Vet Tech salary

Columbus vs Savannah: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Columbus, GA and Savannah, GA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Columbus, GA
$38,413
$18.46/hr
Savannah, GA
$40,006
$19.23/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricColumbus, GASavannah, GA
Median Salary$38,413$40,006
Hourly Rate$18.46$19.23
Entry Level (P10)$31,407$37,917
25th Percentile$32,399$38,265
75th Percentile$41,261$48,287
Top Earner (P90)$52,296$58,679
Total Employed60100
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Columbus ($38,413) and Savannah ($40,006) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.ColumbusSavannahMedian Salary$38,413$40,006Entry Level (P10)$31,407$37,917Top Earner (P90)$52,296$58,679US Median $49,986

Verdict

Savannah, GA offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Columbus.

The salary gap between Columbus and Savannah is $1,593 (4.15%). Savannah's median is -19.97% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Columbus spans $20,889,Savannah spans $20,762. Columbus has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Columbus
P10 (Entry)$31,407
P25$32,399
Median$38,413
P75$41,261
P90 (Top)$52,296
Savannah
P10 (Entry)$37,917
P25$38,265
Median$40,006
P75$48,287
P90 (Top)$58,679

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Columbus ($43,018 effective) pays 2.37% more than Savannah ($42,020 effective).

Columbus
Nominal: $38,413
CoL Index: 89.296
Adjusted: $43,018
Savannah
Nominal: $40,006
CoL Index: 95.206
Adjusted: $42,020

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Columbus if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $43,018)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Savannah if…

  • Higher median salary ($40,006/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($58,679)
  • Larger job market (100 employed)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Columbus grew 26.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 3.9% growth in Savannah over the same period.

Columbus, GA

+26.6%

$28,760 (2019) → $36,410 (2025)

Savannah, GA

+3.9%

$36,490 (2019) → $37,920 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Columbus or Savannah?

Savannah has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $40,006/year, compared to Columbus at $38,413/year — a difference of $1,593 (4.15%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Columbus and Savannah?

Columbus veterinary technologist and technicians earn $18.46/hr while Savannah hygienists earn $19.23/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Columbus to Savannah as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Columbus and Savannah. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Columbus = $43,018, Savannah = $42,020), job availability (60 vs 100 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Columbus vs Savannah?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $31,407 in Columbus and $37,917 in Savannah. The Savannah 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