Vet Tech salary

Moses Lake vs Seattle: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

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

Moses Lake, WA
$60,414
$29.04/hr
Seattle, WA
$64,629
$31.07/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMoses Lake, WASeattle, WA
Median Salary$60,414$64,629
Hourly Rate$29.04$31.07
Entry Level (P10)$49,050$52,075
25th Percentile$51,520$60,589
75th Percentile$73,269$73,745
Top Earner (P90)$78,916$82,353
Total Employed41,170
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Moses Lake ($60,414) and Seattle ($64,629) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.Moses LakeSeattleMedian Salary$60,414$64,629Entry Level (P10)$49,050$52,075Top Earner (P90)$78,916$82,353US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Moses Lake and Seattle is $4,215 (6.98%). 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 Moses Lake spans $29,866,Seattle spans $30,278. Seattle has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Moses Lake
P10 (Entry)$49,050
P25$51,520
Median$60,414
P75$73,269
P90 (Top)$78,916
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, Seattle ($58,155 effective) pays 3.38% more than Moses Lake ($56,251 effective).

Moses Lake
Nominal: $60,414
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $56,251
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 Moses Lake if…

  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Seattle if…

  • Higher median salary ($64,629/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($82,353)
  • Larger job market (1,170 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $58,155)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

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

Moses Lake, WA

+10.5%

$51,804 (2024) → $57,264 (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: Moses Lake or Seattle?

Seattle has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $64,629/year, compared to Moses Lake at $60,414/year — a difference of $4,215 (6.98%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Moses Lake and Seattle?

Moses Lake veterinary technologist and technicians earn $29.04/hr while Seattle hygienists earn $31.07/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Moses Lake and Seattle. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Moses Lake = $56,251, Seattle = $58,155), job availability (4 vs 1,170 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $49,050 in Moses Lake 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