Vet Tech salary

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

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

Denver, CO
$59,692
$28.70/hr
Loveland, CO
$50,487
$24.28/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDenver, COLoveland, CO
Median Salary$59,692$50,487
Hourly Rate$28.70$24.28
Entry Level (P10)$48,519$38,320
25th Percentile$51,537$41,284
75th Percentile$62,857$61,089
Top Earner (P90)$63,511$66,123
Total Employed1,78017
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Denver ($59,692) and Loveland ($50,487) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.DenverLovelandMedian Salary$59,692$50,487Entry Level (P10)$48,519$38,320Top Earner (P90)$63,511$66,123US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Denver and Loveland is $9,205 (18.23%). 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,Loveland spans $27,803. Loveland 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
Loveland
P10 (Entry)$38,320
P25$41,284
Median$50,487
P75$61,089
P90 (Top)$66,123

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Denver ($56,429 effective) pays 17.36% more than Loveland ($48,083 effective).

Denver
Nominal: $59,692
CoL Index: 105.782
Adjusted: $56,429
Loveland
Nominal: $50,487
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $48,083

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 Loveland if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($66,123)
  • 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 12.3% growth in Loveland over the same period.

Denver, CO

+52.3%

$37,140 (2019) → $56,580 (2025)

Loveland, CO

+12.3%

$42,613 (2024) → $47,855 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Denver has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $59,692/year, compared to Loveland at $50,487/year — a difference of $9,205 (18.23%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Denver and Loveland?

Denver veterinary technologist and technicians earn $28.70/hr while Loveland hygienists earn $24.28/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Denver and Loveland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Denver = $56,429, Loveland = $48,083), job availability (1,780 vs 17 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $48,519 in Denver and $38,320 in Loveland. 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