Vet Tech salary

Lewiston vs Sanford: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Lewiston, ME and Sanford, ME. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Lewiston, ME
$51,980
$24.99/hr
Sanford, ME
$46,509
$22.36/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLewiston, MESanford, ME
Median Salary$51,980$46,509
Hourly Rate$24.99$22.36
Entry Level (P10)$48,847$38,756
25th Percentile$51,104$40,248
75th Percentile$52,402$53,734
Top Earner (P90)$61,148$56,146
Total Employed506
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Lewiston ($51,980) and Sanford ($46,509) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.LewistonSanfordMedian Salary$51,980$46,509Entry Level (P10)$48,847$38,756Top Earner (P90)$61,148$56,146US Median $49,986

Verdict

Lewiston, ME offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Sanford.

The salary gap between Lewiston and Sanford is $5,471 (11.76%). Lewiston's median is +3.99% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Lewiston spans $12,301,Sanford spans $17,390. Sanford has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Lewiston
P10 (Entry)$48,847
P25$51,104
Median$51,980
P75$52,402
P90 (Top)$61,148
Sanford
P10 (Entry)$38,756
P25$40,248
Median$46,509
P75$53,734
P90 (Top)$56,146

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lewiston ($54,868 effective) pays 17.50% more than Sanford ($46,696 effective).

Lewiston
Nominal: $51,980
CoL Index: 94.736
Adjusted: $54,868
Sanford
Nominal: $46,509
CoL Index: 99.6
Adjusted: $46,696

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Lewiston if…

  • Higher median salary ($51,980/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($61,148)
  • Larger job market (50 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $54,868)
  • You prefer the Maine area and lifestyle

Choose Sanford if…

  • You prefer the Maine area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Lewiston grew 34.0% from 2021 to 2025, compared to 18.5% growth in Sanford over the same period.

Lewiston, ME

+34.0%

$36,780 (2021) → $49,270 (2025)

Sanford, ME

+18.5%

$37,217 (2024) → $44,084 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Lewiston or Sanford?

Lewiston has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $51,980/year, compared to Sanford at $46,509/year — a difference of $5,471 (11.76%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Lewiston and Sanford?

Lewiston veterinary technologist and technicians earn $24.99/hr while Sanford hygienists earn $22.36/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Lewiston to Sanford as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Lewiston and Sanford. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Lewiston = $54,868, Sanford = $46,696), job availability (50 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Lewiston vs Sanford?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $48,847 in Lewiston and $38,756 in Sanford. The Lewiston 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