Vet Tech salary

Kernersville vs Raleigh: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Kernersville, NC and Raleigh, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Kernersville, NC
$49,120
$23.61/hr
Raleigh, NC
$53,003
$25.48/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKernersville, NCRaleigh, NC
Median Salary$49,120$53,003
Hourly Rate$23.61$25.48
Entry Level (P10)$38,065$39,162
25th Percentile$40,510$42,253
75th Percentile$59,256$55,071
Top Earner (P90)$63,829$63,110
Total Employed6680
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kernersville ($49,120) and Raleigh ($53,003) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.KernersvilleRaleighMedian Salary$49,120$53,003Entry Level (P10)$38,065$39,162Top Earner (P90)$63,829$63,110US Median $49,986

Verdict

Raleigh, NC offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Kernersville.

The salary gap between Kernersville and Raleigh is $3,883 (7.91%). Raleigh's median is +6.04% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Kernersville spans $25,764,Raleigh spans $23,948. Kernersville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Kernersville
P10 (Entry)$38,065
P25$40,510
Median$49,120
P75$59,256
P90 (Top)$63,829
Raleigh
P10 (Entry)$39,162
P25$42,253
Median$53,003
P75$55,071
P90 (Top)$63,110

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Raleigh ($53,998 effective) pays 2.90% more than Kernersville ($52,479 effective).

Kernersville
Nominal: $49,120
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $52,479
Raleigh
Nominal: $53,003
CoL Index: 98.157
Adjusted: $53,998

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Kernersville if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($63,829)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Raleigh if…

  • Higher median salary ($53,003/year)
  • Larger job market (680 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $53,998)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Kernersville grew 39.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 39.6% growth in Raleigh over the same period.

Kernersville, NC

+39.5%

$33,387 (2024) → $46,559 (2025)

Raleigh, NC

+39.6%

$36,000 (2019) → $50,240 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Kernersville or Raleigh?

Raleigh has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $53,003/year, compared to Kernersville at $49,120/year — a difference of $3,883 (7.91%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Kernersville and Raleigh?

Kernersville veterinary technologist and technicians earn $23.61/hr while Raleigh hygienists earn $25.48/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Kernersville to Raleigh as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kernersville and Raleigh. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kernersville = $52,479, Raleigh = $53,998), job availability (6 vs 680 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Kernersville vs Raleigh?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $38,065 in Kernersville and $39,162 in Raleigh. The Raleigh 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