Vet Tech salary

Denver vs Aurora: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Denver, CO and Aurora, CO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Denver, CO
$59,692
$28.70/hr
Aurora, CO
$58,382
$28.06/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDenver, COAurora, CO
Median Salary$59,692$58,382
Hourly Rate$28.70$28.06
Entry Level (P10)$48,519$42,379
25th Percentile$51,537$46,727
75th Percentile$62,857$72,437
Top Earner (P90)$63,511$80,689
Total Employed1,78054
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Denver ($59,692) and Aurora ($58,382) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.DenverAuroraMedian Salary$59,692$58,382Entry Level (P10)$48,519$42,379Top Earner (P90)$63,511$80,689US Median $49,986

Verdict

Denver, CO offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Aurora.

The salary gap between Denver and Aurora is $1,310 (2.24%). Denver's median is +19.42% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Denver spans $14,992,Aurora spans $38,310. Aurora has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Denver
P10 (Entry)$48,519
P25$51,537
Median$59,692
P75$62,857
P90 (Top)$63,511
Aurora
P10 (Entry)$42,379
P25$46,727
Median$58,382
P75$72,437
P90 (Top)$80,689

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Denver ($56,429 effective) pays 1.49% more than Aurora ($55,602 effective).

Denver
Nominal: $59,692
CoL Index: 105.782
Adjusted: $56,429
Aurora
Nominal: $58,382
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $55,602

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Denver if…

  • Higher median salary ($59,692/year)
  • Larger job market (1,780 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $56,429)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Aurora if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($80,689)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Denver grew 52.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 22.2% growth in Aurora over the same period.

Denver, CO

+52.3%

$37,140 (2019) → $56,580 (2025)

Aurora, CO

+22.2%

$45,288 (2024) → $55,338 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Denver or Aurora?

Denver has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $59,692/year, compared to Aurora at $58,382/year — a difference of $1,310 (2.24%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Denver and Aurora?

Denver veterinary technologist and technicians earn $28.70/hr while Aurora hygienists earn $28.06/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Denver to Aurora as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Denver and Aurora. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Denver = $56,429, Aurora = $55,602), job availability (1,780 vs 54 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Denver vs Aurora?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $48,519 in Denver and $42,379 in Aurora. The Denver 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