Vet Tech salary

Holyoke vs Worcester: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Holyoke, MA and Worcester, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Holyoke, MA
$49,814
$23.95/hr
Worcester, MA
$50,830
$24.43/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHolyoke, MAWorcester, MA
Median Salary$49,814$50,830
Hourly Rate$23.95$24.43
Entry Level (P10)$37,421$39,193
25th Percentile$40,208$48,235
75th Percentile$61,115$63,078
Top Earner (P90)$66,408$64,608
Total Employed7520
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Holyoke ($49,814) and Worcester ($50,830) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.HolyokeWorcesterMedian Salary$49,814$50,830Entry Level (P10)$37,421$39,193Top Earner (P90)$66,408$64,608US Median $49,986

Verdict

Worcester, MA offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Holyoke.

The salary gap between Holyoke and Worcester is $1,016 (2.04%). Worcester's median is +1.69% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Holyoke spans $28,987,Worcester spans $25,415. Holyoke has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Holyoke
P10 (Entry)$37,421
P25$40,208
Median$49,814
P75$61,115
P90 (Top)$66,408
Worcester
P10 (Entry)$39,193
P25$48,235
Median$50,830
P75$63,078
P90 (Top)$64,608

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Worcester ($49,579 effective) pays 7.99% more than Holyoke ($45,912 effective).

Holyoke
Nominal: $49,814
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $45,912
Worcester
Nominal: $50,830
CoL Index: 102.523
Adjusted: $49,579

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Holyoke if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($66,408)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Worcester if…

  • Higher median salary ($50,830/year)
  • Larger job market (520 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $49,579)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Holyoke grew -10.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 6.1% growth in Worcester over the same period.

Holyoke, MA

+-10.9%

$52,995 (2024) → $47,217 (2025)

Worcester, MA

+6.1%

$45,400 (2019) → $48,180 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Holyoke or Worcester?

Worcester has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $50,830/year, compared to Holyoke at $49,814/year — a difference of $1,016 (2.04%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Holyoke and Worcester?

Holyoke veterinary technologist and technicians earn $23.95/hr while Worcester hygienists earn $24.43/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Holyoke to Worcester as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Holyoke and Worcester. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Holyoke = $45,912, Worcester = $49,579), job availability (7 vs 520 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Holyoke vs Worcester?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $37,421 in Holyoke and $39,193 in Worcester. The Worcester 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