Vet Tech salary

Grants Pass vs Portland: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Grants Pass, OR and Portland, OR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Grants Pass, OR
$53,997
$25.96/hr
Portland, OR
$61,507
$29.57/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGrants Pass, ORPortland, OR
Median Salary$53,997$61,507
Hourly Rate$25.96$29.57
Entry Level (P10)$43,926$49,047
25th Percentile$46,122$52,792
75th Percentile$65,548$66,940
Top Earner (P90)$70,635$81,552
Total Employed7760
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Grants Pass ($53,997) and Portland ($61,507) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.Grants PassPortlandMedian Salary$53,997$61,507Entry Level (P10)$43,926$49,047Top Earner (P90)$70,635$81,552US Median $49,986

Verdict

Portland, OR offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Grants Pass.

The salary gap between Grants Pass and Portland is $7,510 (13.91%). Portland's median is +23.05% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Grants Pass spans $26,709,Portland spans $32,505. Portland has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Grants Pass
P10 (Entry)$43,926
P25$46,122
Median$53,997
P75$65,548
P90 (Top)$70,635
Portland
P10 (Entry)$49,047
P25$52,792
Median$61,507
P75$66,940
P90 (Top)$81,552

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Portland ($58,344 effective) pays 10.86% more than Grants Pass ($52,629 effective).

Grants Pass
Nominal: $53,997
CoL Index: 102.6
Adjusted: $52,629
Portland
Nominal: $61,507
CoL Index: 105.421
Adjusted: $58,344

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Grants Pass if…

  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Choose Portland if…

  • Higher median salary ($61,507/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($81,552)
  • Larger job market (760 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $58,344)
  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Grants Pass grew 67.8% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 59.9% growth in Portland over the same period.

Grants Pass, OR

+67.8%

$30,500 (2021) → $51,182 (2025)

Portland, OR

+59.9%

$36,450 (2019) → $58,300 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Grants Pass or Portland?

Portland has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $61,507/year, compared to Grants Pass at $53,997/year — a difference of $7,510 (13.91%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Grants Pass and Portland?

Grants Pass veterinary technologist and technicians earn $25.96/hr while Portland hygienists earn $29.57/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Grants Pass to Portland as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Grants Pass and Portland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Grants Pass = $52,629, Portland = $58,344), job availability (7 vs 760 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Grants Pass vs Portland?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $43,926 in Grants Pass and $49,047 in Portland. The Portland 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