Vet Tech salary

Erie vs Fort Collins: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

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

Erie, CO
$49,974
$24.02/hr
Fort Collins, CO
$51,727
$24.87/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricErie, COFort Collins, CO
Median Salary$49,974$51,727
Hourly Rate$24.02$24.87
Entry Level (P10)$38,398$39,119
25th Percentile$41,127$49,754
75th Percentile$59,124$60,030
Top Earner (P90)$63,031$67,699
Total Employed5490
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Erie ($49,974) and Fort Collins ($51,727) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.ErieFort CollinsMedian Salary$49,974$51,727Entry Level (P10)$38,398$39,119Top Earner (P90)$63,031$67,699US Median $49,986

Verdict

Fort Collins, CO offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Erie.

The salary gap between Erie and Fort Collins is $1,753 (3.51%). Fort Collins's median is +3.48% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Erie spans $24,633,Fort Collins spans $28,580. Fort Collins has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Erie
P10 (Entry)$38,398
P25$41,127
Median$49,974
P75$59,124
P90 (Top)$63,031
Fort Collins
P10 (Entry)$39,119
P25$49,754
Median$51,727
P75$60,030
P90 (Top)$67,699

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fort Collins ($51,150 effective) pays 7.47% more than Erie ($47,594 effective).

Erie
Nominal: $49,974
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $47,594
Fort Collins
Nominal: $51,727
CoL Index: 101.128
Adjusted: $51,150

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Erie if…

  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Fort Collins if…

  • Higher median salary ($51,727/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($67,699)
  • Larger job market (490 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $51,150)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Erie grew 8.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 39.3% growth in Fort Collins over the same period.

Erie, CO

+8.6%

$43,634 (2024) → $47,369 (2025)

Fort Collins, CO

+39.3%

$35,200 (2019) → $49,030 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Erie or Fort Collins?

Fort Collins has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $51,727/year, compared to Erie at $49,974/year — a difference of $1,753 (3.51%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Erie and Fort Collins?

Erie veterinary technologist and technicians earn $24.02/hr while Fort Collins hygienists earn $24.87/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Erie to Fort Collins as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Erie and Fort Collins. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Erie = $47,594, Fort Collins = $51,150), job availability (5 vs 490 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Erie vs Fort Collins?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $38,398 in Erie and $39,119 in Fort Collins. The Fort Collins 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