Vet Tech salary

New Bern vs Raleigh: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

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

New Bern, NC
$48,617
$23.37/hr
Raleigh, NC
$53,003
$25.48/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew Bern, NCRaleigh, NC
Median Salary$48,617$53,003
Hourly Rate$23.37$25.48
Entry Level (P10)$36,835$39,162
25th Percentile$39,474$42,253
75th Percentile$58,047$55,071
Top Earner (P90)$62,186$63,110
Total Employed7680
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New Bern ($48,617) and Raleigh ($53,003) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.New BernRaleighMedian Salary$48,617$53,003Entry Level (P10)$36,835$39,162Top Earner (P90)$62,186$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 New Bern.

The salary gap between New Bern and Raleigh is $4,386 (9.02%). 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 New Bern spans $25,351,Raleigh spans $23,948. New Bern has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

New Bern
P10 (Entry)$36,835
P25$39,474
Median$48,617
P75$58,047
P90 (Top)$62,186
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 3.96% more than New Bern ($51,941 effective).

New Bern
Nominal: $48,617
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $51,941
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 New Bern 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 New Bern grew 43.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 39.6% growth in Raleigh over the same period.

New Bern, NC

+43.6%

$32,080 (2019) → $46,082 (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: New Bern or Raleigh?

Raleigh has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $53,003/year, compared to New Bern at $48,617/year — a difference of $4,386 (9.02%).

What is the hourly rate difference between New Bern and Raleigh?

New Bern veterinary technologist and technicians earn $23.37/hr while Raleigh hygienists earn $25.48/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing New Bern and Raleigh. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New Bern = $51,941, Raleigh = $53,998), job availability (7 vs 680 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $36,835 in New Bern 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