Vet Tech salary

Falls Church vs Virginia Beach: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Falls Church, VA and Virginia Beach, VA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Falls Church, VA
$46,445
$22.33/hr
Virginia Beach, VA
$51,030
$24.54/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFalls Church, VAVirginia Beach, VA
Median Salary$46,445$51,030
Hourly Rate$22.33$24.54
Entry Level (P10)$37,888$37,442
25th Percentile$39,454$48,709
75th Percentile$54,681$61,981
Top Earner (P90)$57,718$66,560
Total Employed5470
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Falls Church ($46,445) and Virginia Beach ($51,030) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.Falls ChurchVirginia BeachMedian Salary$46,445$51,030Entry Level (P10)$37,888$37,442Top Earner (P90)$57,718$66,560US Median $49,986

Verdict

Virginia Beach, VA offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Falls Church.

The salary gap between Falls Church and Virginia Beach is $4,585 (9.87%). Virginia Beach's median is +2.09% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Falls Church spans $19,830,Virginia Beach spans $29,118. Virginia Beach has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Falls Church
P10 (Entry)$37,888
P25$39,454
Median$46,445
P75$54,681
P90 (Top)$57,718
Virginia Beach
P10 (Entry)$37,442
P25$48,709
Median$51,030
P75$61,981
P90 (Top)$66,560

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Virginia Beach ($52,103 effective) pays 15.77% more than Falls Church ($45,005 effective).

Falls Church
Nominal: $46,445
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $45,005
Virginia Beach
Nominal: $51,030
CoL Index: 97.941
Adjusted: $52,103

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Falls Church if…

  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Virginia Beach if…

  • Higher median salary ($51,030/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($66,560)
  • Larger job market (470 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $52,103)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Falls Church grew 15.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 45.0% growth in Virginia Beach over the same period.

Falls Church, VA

+15.7%

$38,063 (2024) → $44,024 (2025)

Virginia Beach, VA

+45.0%

$33,350 (2019) → $48,370 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Falls Church or Virginia Beach?

Virginia Beach has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $51,030/year, compared to Falls Church at $46,445/year — a difference of $4,585 (9.87%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Falls Church and Virginia Beach?

Falls Church veterinary technologist and technicians earn $22.33/hr while Virginia Beach hygienists earn $24.54/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Falls Church to Virginia Beach as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Falls Church and Virginia Beach. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Falls Church = $45,005, Virginia Beach = $52,103), job availability (5 vs 470 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Falls Church vs Virginia Beach?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $37,888 in Falls Church and $37,442 in Virginia Beach. The Falls Church 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