Vet Tech salary

Ellicott City vs Salisbury: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Ellicott City, MD and Salisbury, MD. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Ellicott City, MD
$54,868
$26.38/hr
Salisbury, MD
$48,034
$23.09/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricEllicott City, MDSalisbury, MD
Median Salary$54,868$48,034
Hourly Rate$26.38$23.09
Entry Level (P10)$40,627$32,916
25th Percentile$44,103$40,174
75th Percentile$65,542$51,210
Top Earner (P90)$70,729$53,077
Total Employed1560
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Ellicott City ($54,868) and Salisbury ($48,034) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.Ellicott CitySalisburyMedian Salary$54,868$48,034Entry Level (P10)$40,627$32,916Top Earner (P90)$70,729$53,077US Median $49,986

Verdict

Ellicott City, MD offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Salisbury.

The salary gap between Ellicott City and Salisbury is $6,834 (14.23%). Ellicott City's median is +9.77% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Ellicott City spans $30,102,Salisbury spans $20,161. Ellicott City has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Ellicott City
P10 (Entry)$40,627
P25$44,103
Median$54,868
P75$65,542
P90 (Top)$70,729
Salisbury
P10 (Entry)$32,916
P25$40,174
Median$48,034
P75$51,210
P90 (Top)$53,077

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Salisbury ($50,236 effective) pays 0.07% more than Ellicott City ($50,199 effective).

Ellicott City
Nominal: $54,868
CoL Index: 109.3
Adjusted: $50,199
Salisbury
Nominal: $48,034
CoL Index: 95.617
Adjusted: $50,236

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Ellicott City if…

  • Higher median salary ($54,868/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($70,729)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Choose Salisbury if…

  • Larger job market (60 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $50,236)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Ellicott City grew 7.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 33.2% growth in Salisbury over the same period.

Ellicott City, MD

+7.7%

$48,299 (2024) → $52,008 (2025)

Salisbury, MD

+33.2%

$34,170 (2019) → $45,530 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Ellicott City or Salisbury?

Ellicott City has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $54,868/year, compared to Salisbury at $48,034/year — a difference of $6,834 (14.23%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Ellicott City and Salisbury?

Ellicott City veterinary technologist and technicians earn $26.38/hr while Salisbury hygienists earn $23.09/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Ellicott City to Salisbury as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Ellicott City and Salisbury. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Ellicott City = $50,199, Salisbury = $50,236), job availability (15 vs 60 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Ellicott City vs Salisbury?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $40,627 in Ellicott City and $32,916 in Salisbury. The Ellicott City 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