Vet Tech salary

Jacksonville vs Orlando: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Jacksonville, FL and Orlando, FL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Jacksonville, FL
$49,131
$23.62/hr
Orlando, FL
$47,570
$22.87/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricJacksonville, FLOrlando, FL
Median Salary$49,131$47,570
Hourly Rate$23.62$22.87
Entry Level (P10)$39,520$38,328
25th Percentile$41,419$41,303
75th Percentile$52,085$51,220
Top Earner (P90)$61,570$61,264
Total Employed1,1201,270
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Jacksonville ($49,131) and Orlando ($47,570) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.JacksonvilleOrlandoMedian Salary$49,131$47,570Entry Level (P10)$39,520$38,328Top Earner (P90)$61,570$61,264US Median $49,986

Verdict

Jacksonville, FL offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Orlando.

The salary gap between Jacksonville and Orlando is $1,561 (3.28%). Jacksonville's median is -1.71% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Jacksonville spans $22,050,Orlando spans $22,936. Orlando has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Jacksonville
P10 (Entry)$39,520
P25$41,419
Median$49,131
P75$52,085
P90 (Top)$61,570
Orlando
P10 (Entry)$38,328
P25$41,303
Median$47,570
P75$51,220
P90 (Top)$61,264

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Jacksonville ($49,386 effective) pays 5.29% more than Orlando ($46,905 effective).

Jacksonville
Nominal: $49,131
CoL Index: 99.484
Adjusted: $49,386
Orlando
Nominal: $47,570
CoL Index: 101.418
Adjusted: $46,905

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Jacksonville if…

  • Higher median salary ($49,131/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($61,570)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $49,386)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose Orlando if…

  • Larger job market (1,270 employed)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Jacksonville grew 64.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 53.6% growth in Orlando over the same period.

Jacksonville, FL

+64.5%

$28,310 (2019) → $46,570 (2025)

Orlando, FL

+53.6%

$29,350 (2019) → $45,090 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Jacksonville or Orlando?

Jacksonville has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $49,131/year, compared to Orlando at $47,570/year — a difference of $1,561 (3.28%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Jacksonville and Orlando?

Jacksonville veterinary technologist and technicians earn $23.62/hr while Orlando hygienists earn $22.87/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Jacksonville to Orlando as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Jacksonville and Orlando. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Jacksonville = $49,386, Orlando = $46,905), job availability (1,120 vs 1,270 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Jacksonville vs Orlando?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $39,520 in Jacksonville and $38,328 in Orlando. The Jacksonville 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