Vet Tech salary

Manchester vs Merrimack: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Manchester, NH and Merrimack, NH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Manchester, NH
$51,516
$24.77/hr
Merrimack, NH
$52,274
$25.13/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricManchester, NHMerrimack, NH
Median Salary$51,516$52,274
Hourly Rate$24.77$25.13
Entry Level (P10)$37,864$39,014
25th Percentile$41,567$42,047
75th Percentile$59,840$62,068
Top Earner (P90)$61,074$66,102
Total Employed1805
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Manchester ($51,516) and Merrimack ($52,274) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.ManchesterMerrimackMedian Salary$51,516$52,274Entry Level (P10)$37,864$39,014Top Earner (P90)$61,074$66,102US Median $49,986

Verdict

Merrimack, NH offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Manchester.

The salary gap between Manchester and Merrimack is $758 (1.47%). Merrimack's median is +4.58% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Manchester spans $23,210,Merrimack spans $27,088. Merrimack has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Manchester
P10 (Entry)$37,864
P25$41,567
Median$51,516
P75$59,840
P90 (Top)$61,074
Merrimack
P10 (Entry)$39,014
P25$42,047
Median$52,274
P75$62,068
P90 (Top)$66,102

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Manchester ($48,758 effective) pays 0.08% more than Merrimack ($48,718 effective).

Manchester
Nominal: $51,516
CoL Index: 105.657
Adjusted: $48,758
Merrimack
Nominal: $52,274
CoL Index: 107.3
Adjusted: $48,718

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Manchester if…

  • Larger job market (180 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $48,758)
  • You prefer the New Hampshire area and lifestyle

Choose Merrimack if…

  • Higher median salary ($52,274/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($66,102)
  • You prefer the New Hampshire area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Manchester grew 32.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 12.8% growth in Merrimack over the same period.

Manchester, NH

+32.4%

$36,870 (2019) → $48,830 (2025)

Merrimack, NH

+12.8%

$43,922 (2024) → $49,549 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Manchester or Merrimack?

Merrimack has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $52,274/year, compared to Manchester at $51,516/year — a difference of $758 (1.47%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Manchester and Merrimack?

Manchester veterinary technologist and technicians earn $24.77/hr while Merrimack hygienists earn $25.13/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Manchester to Merrimack as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Manchester and Merrimack. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Manchester = $48,758, Merrimack = $48,718), job availability (180 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Manchester vs Merrimack?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $37,864 in Manchester and $39,014 in Merrimack. The Merrimack 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