Vet Tech salary

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

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

Fort Collins, CO
$51,727
$24.87/hr
Pueblo, CO
$50,787
$24.41/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFort Collins, COPueblo, CO
Median Salary$51,727$50,787
Hourly Rate$24.87$24.41
Entry Level (P10)$39,119$37,893
25th Percentile$49,754$41,198
75th Percentile$60,030$63,264
Top Earner (P90)$67,699$69,868
Total Employed49026
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fort Collins ($51,727) and Pueblo ($50,787) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.Fort CollinsPuebloMedian Salary$51,727$50,787Entry Level (P10)$39,119$37,893Top Earner (P90)$67,699$69,868US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Fort Collins and Pueblo is $940 (1.85%). 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 Fort Collins spans $28,580,Pueblo spans $31,975. Pueblo has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Fort Collins
P10 (Entry)$39,119
P25$49,754
Median$51,727
P75$60,030
P90 (Top)$67,699
Pueblo
P10 (Entry)$37,893
P25$41,198
Median$50,787
P75$63,264
P90 (Top)$69,868

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fort Collins ($51,150 effective) pays 5.75% more than Pueblo ($48,369 effective).

Fort Collins
Nominal: $51,727
CoL Index: 101.128
Adjusted: $51,150
Pueblo
Nominal: $50,787
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $48,369

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fort Collins if…

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

Choose Pueblo if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($69,868)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Fort Collins grew 39.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 60.1% growth in Pueblo over the same period.

Fort Collins, CO

+39.3%

$35,200 (2019) → $49,030 (2025)

Pueblo, CO

+60.1%

$30,060 (2020) → $48,139 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Fort Collins has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $51,727/year, compared to Pueblo at $50,787/year — a difference of $940 (1.85%).

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

Fort Collins veterinary technologist and technicians earn $24.87/hr while Pueblo hygienists earn $24.41/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fort Collins and Pueblo. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fort Collins = $51,150, Pueblo = $48,369), job availability (490 vs 26 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $39,119 in Fort Collins and $37,893 in Pueblo. 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