Vet Tech salary

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

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

Matthews, NC
$49,005
$23.56/hr
Raleigh, NC
$53,003
$25.48/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMatthews, NCRaleigh, NC
Median Salary$49,005$53,003
Hourly Rate$23.56$25.48
Entry Level (P10)$37,576$39,162
25th Percentile$40,271$42,253
75th Percentile$57,922$55,071
Top Earner (P90)$61,716$63,110
Total Employed8680
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Matthews ($49,005) and Raleigh ($53,003) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.MatthewsRaleighMedian Salary$49,005$53,003Entry Level (P10)$37,576$39,162Top Earner (P90)$61,716$63,110US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Matthews and Raleigh is $3,998 (8.16%). 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 Matthews spans $24,140,Raleigh spans $23,948. Matthews has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Matthews
P10 (Entry)$37,576
P25$40,271
Median$49,005
P75$57,922
P90 (Top)$61,716
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 3.14% more than Matthews ($52,356 effective).

Matthews
Nominal: $49,005
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $52,356
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 Matthews if…

  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Raleigh if…

  • Higher median salary ($53,003/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($63,110)
  • 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 Matthews grew 39.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 39.6% growth in Raleigh over the same period.

Matthews, NC

+39.5%

$33,309 (2024) → $46,450 (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: Matthews or Raleigh?

Raleigh has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $53,003/year, compared to Matthews at $49,005/year — a difference of $3,998 (8.16%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Matthews and Raleigh?

Matthews veterinary technologist and technicians earn $23.56/hr while Raleigh hygienists earn $25.48/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Matthews and Raleigh. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Matthews = $52,356, Raleigh = $53,998), job availability (8 vs 680 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $37,576 in Matthews 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