Vet Tech salary

Kent vs Seattle: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Kent, WA and Seattle, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Kent, WA
$62,515
$30.06/hr
Seattle, WA
$64,629
$31.07/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKent, WASeattle, WA
Median Salary$62,515$64,629
Hourly Rate$30.06$31.07
Entry Level (P10)$47,727$52,075
25th Percentile$51,531$60,589
75th Percentile$78,613$73,745
Top Earner (P90)$87,574$82,353
Total Employed331,170
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kent ($62,515) and Seattle ($64,629) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.KentSeattleMedian Salary$62,515$64,629Entry Level (P10)$47,727$52,075Top Earner (P90)$87,574$82,353US Median $49,986

Verdict

Seattle, WA offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Kent.

The salary gap between Kent and Seattle is $2,114 (3.38%). Seattle's median is +29.29% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Kent spans $39,847,Seattle spans $30,278. Kent has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Kent
P10 (Entry)$47,727
P25$51,531
Median$62,515
P75$78,613
P90 (Top)$87,574
Seattle
P10 (Entry)$52,075
P25$60,589
Median$64,629
P75$73,745
P90 (Top)$82,353

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Kent ($58,208 effective) pays 0.09% more than Seattle ($58,155 effective).

Kent
Nominal: $62,515
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $58,208
Seattle
Nominal: $64,629
CoL Index: 111.133
Adjusted: $58,155

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Kent if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($87,574)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $58,208)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Seattle if…

  • Higher median salary ($64,629/year)
  • Larger job market (1,170 employed)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Kent grew 10.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 55.8% growth in Seattle over the same period.

Kent, WA

+10.5%

$53,606 (2024) → $59,256 (2025)

Seattle, WA

+55.8%

$39,320 (2019) → $61,260 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Kent or Seattle?

Seattle has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $64,629/year, compared to Kent at $62,515/year — a difference of $2,114 (3.38%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Kent and Seattle?

Kent veterinary technologist and technicians earn $30.06/hr while Seattle hygienists earn $31.07/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Kent to Seattle as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kent and Seattle. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kent = $58,208, Seattle = $58,155), job availability (33 vs 1,170 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Kent vs Seattle?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $47,727 in Kent and $52,075 in Seattle. The Seattle 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