Vet Tech salary

Daphne vs Huntsville: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Daphne, AL and Huntsville, AL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Daphne, AL
$38,257
$18.39/hr
Huntsville, AL
$39,183
$18.84/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDaphne, ALHuntsville, AL
Median Salary$38,257$39,183
Hourly Rate$18.39$18.84
Entry Level (P10)$28,810$30,521
25th Percentile$30,933$32,705
75th Percentile$44,727$44,257
Top Earner (P90)$51,085$52,096
Total Employed6280
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Daphne ($38,257) and Huntsville ($39,183) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.DaphneHuntsvilleMedian Salary$38,257$39,183Entry Level (P10)$28,810$30,521Top Earner (P90)$51,085$52,096US Median $49,986

Verdict

Huntsville, AL offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Daphne.

The salary gap between Daphne and Huntsville is $926 (2.42%). Huntsville's median is -21.61% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Daphne spans $22,275,Huntsville spans $21,575. Daphne has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Daphne
P10 (Entry)$28,810
P25$30,933
Median$38,257
P75$44,727
P90 (Top)$51,085
Huntsville
P10 (Entry)$30,521
P25$32,705
Median$39,183
P75$44,257
P90 (Top)$52,096

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Daphne ($43,523 effective) pays 3.38% more than Huntsville ($42,100 effective).

Daphne
Nominal: $38,257
CoL Index: 87.9
Adjusted: $43,523
Huntsville
Nominal: $39,183
CoL Index: 93.072
Adjusted: $42,100

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Daphne if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $43,523)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Huntsville if…

  • Higher median salary ($39,183/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($52,096)
  • Larger job market (280 employed)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Daphne grew 41.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 33.2% growth in Huntsville over the same period.

Daphne, AL

+41.5%

$25,620 (2019) → $36,263 (2025)

Huntsville, AL

+33.2%

$27,880 (2019) → $37,140 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Daphne or Huntsville?

Huntsville has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $39,183/year, compared to Daphne at $38,257/year — a difference of $926 (2.42%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Daphne and Huntsville?

Daphne veterinary technologist and technicians earn $18.39/hr while Huntsville hygienists earn $18.84/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Daphne to Huntsville as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Daphne and Huntsville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Daphne = $43,523, Huntsville = $42,100), job availability (6 vs 280 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Daphne vs Huntsville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $28,810 in Daphne and $30,521 in Huntsville. The Huntsville 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