Vet Tech salary

Fredericksburg vs Richmond: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Fredericksburg, VA and Richmond, VA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Fredericksburg, VA
$49,037
$23.58/hr
Richmond, VA
$56,147
$27.00/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFredericksburg, VARichmond, VA
Median Salary$49,037$56,147
Hourly Rate$23.58$27.00
Entry Level (P10)$36,559$39,246
25th Percentile$42,364$50,598
75th Percentile$59,963$65,948
Top Earner (P90)$65,046$75,696
Total Employed7420
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fredericksburg ($49,037) and Richmond ($56,147) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.FredericksburgRichmondMedian Salary$49,037$56,147Entry Level (P10)$36,559$39,246Top Earner (P90)$65,046$75,696US Median $49,986

Verdict

Richmond, VA offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Fredericksburg.

The salary gap between Fredericksburg and Richmond is $7,110 (14.50%). Richmond's median is +12.33% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fredericksburg spans $28,487,Richmond spans $36,450. Richmond has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Fredericksburg
P10 (Entry)$36,559
P25$42,364
Median$49,037
P75$59,963
P90 (Top)$65,046
Richmond
P10 (Entry)$39,246
P25$50,598
Median$56,147
P75$65,948
P90 (Top)$75,696

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Richmond ($57,376 effective) pays 20.75% more than Fredericksburg ($47,516 effective).

Fredericksburg
Nominal: $49,037
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $47,516
Richmond
Nominal: $56,147
CoL Index: 97.858
Adjusted: $57,376

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fredericksburg if…

  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Richmond if…

  • Higher median salary ($56,147/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($75,696)
  • Larger job market (420 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $57,376)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Fredericksburg grew 15.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 27.5% growth in Richmond over the same period.

Fredericksburg, VA

+15.7%

$40,187 (2024) → $46,481 (2025)

Richmond, VA

+27.5%

$41,750 (2019) → $53,220 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Fredericksburg or Richmond?

Richmond has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $56,147/year, compared to Fredericksburg at $49,037/year — a difference of $7,110 (14.50%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fredericksburg and Richmond?

Fredericksburg veterinary technologist and technicians earn $23.58/hr while Richmond hygienists earn $27.00/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fredericksburg to Richmond as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fredericksburg and Richmond. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fredericksburg = $47,516, Richmond = $57,376), job availability (7 vs 420 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Fredericksburg vs Richmond?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $36,559 in Fredericksburg and $39,246 in Richmond. The Richmond 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