Vet Tech salary

Corvallis vs The Dalles: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

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

Corvallis, OR
$71,698
$34.48/hr
The Dalles, OR
$51,827
$24.92/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCorvallis, ORThe Dalles, OR
Median Salary$71,698$51,827
Hourly Rate$34.48$24.92
Entry Level (P10)$51,895$42,666
25th Percentile$63,311$44,348
75th Percentile$83,007$62,459
Top Earner (P90)$83,007$66,549
Total Employed806
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Corvallis ($71,698) and The Dalles ($51,827) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.CorvallisThe DallesMedian Salary$71,698$51,827Entry Level (P10)$51,895$42,666Top Earner (P90)$83,007$66,549US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Corvallis and The Dalles is $19,871 (38.34%). 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,The Dalles spans $23,883. 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
The Dalles
P10 (Entry)$42,666
P25$44,348
Median$51,827
P75$62,459
P90 (Top)$66,549

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Corvallis ($68,929 effective) pays 36.46% more than The Dalles ($50,514 effective).

Corvallis
Nominal: $71,698
CoL Index: 104.017
Adjusted: $68,929
The Dalles
Nominal: $51,827
CoL Index: 102.6
Adjusted: $50,514

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 The Dalles 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 The Dalles over the same period.

Corvallis, OR

+71.1%

$39,720 (2019) → $67,960 (2025)

The Dalles, OR

+7.6%

$45,643 (2024) → $49,125 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Corvallis or The Dalles?

Corvallis has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $71,698/year, compared to The Dalles at $51,827/year — a difference of $19,871 (38.34%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Corvallis and The Dalles?

Corvallis veterinary technologist and technicians earn $34.48/hr while The Dalles hygienists earn $24.92/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Corvallis to The Dalles as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Corvallis and The Dalles. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Corvallis = $68,929, The Dalles = $50,514), job availability (80 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Corvallis vs The Dalles?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $51,895 in Corvallis and $42,666 in The Dalles. 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