Vet Tech salary

Corvallis vs Happy Valley: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Corvallis, OR and Happy Valley, OR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Corvallis, OR
$71,698
$34.48/hr
Happy Valley, OR
$53,181
$25.57/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCorvallis, ORHappy Valley, OR
Median Salary$71,698$53,181
Hourly Rate$34.48$25.57
Entry Level (P10)$51,895$41,587
25th Percentile$63,311$43,912
75th Percentile$83,007$61,463
Top Earner (P90)$83,007$69,040
Total Employed804
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Corvallis ($71,698) and Happy Valley ($53,181) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.CorvallisHappy ValleyMedian Salary$71,698$53,181Entry Level (P10)$51,895$41,587Top Earner (P90)$83,007$69,040US Median $49,986

Verdict

Corvallis, OR offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Happy Valley.

The salary gap between Corvallis and Happy Valley is $18,517 (34.82%). Corvallis's median is +43.44% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Corvallis spans $31,112,Happy Valley spans $27,453. Corvallis has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Corvallis
P10 (Entry)$51,895
P25$63,311
Median$71,698
P75$83,007
P90 (Top)$83,007
Happy Valley
P10 (Entry)$41,587
P25$43,912
Median$53,181
P75$61,463
P90 (Top)$69,040

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Corvallis ($68,929 effective) pays 32.98% more than Happy Valley ($51,833 effective).

Corvallis
Nominal: $71,698
CoL Index: 104.017
Adjusted: $68,929
Happy Valley
Nominal: $53,181
CoL Index: 102.6
Adjusted: $51,833

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Corvallis if…

  • Higher median salary ($71,698/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($83,007)
  • Larger job market (80 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $68,929)
  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Choose Happy Valley if…

  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Corvallis grew 71.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 7.6% growth in Happy Valley over the same period.

Corvallis, OR

+71.1%

$39,720 (2019) → $67,960 (2025)

Happy Valley, OR

+7.6%

$46,836 (2024) → $50,409 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Corvallis or Happy Valley?

Corvallis has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $71,698/year, compared to Happy Valley at $53,181/year — a difference of $18,517 (34.82%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Corvallis and Happy Valley?

Corvallis veterinary technologist and technicians earn $34.48/hr while Happy Valley hygienists earn $25.57/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Corvallis to Happy Valley as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Corvallis and Happy Valley. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Corvallis = $68,929, Happy Valley = $51,833), job availability (80 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Corvallis vs Happy Valley?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $51,895 in Corvallis and $41,587 in Happy Valley. The Corvallis 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