Vet Tech salary

New Castle vs Philadelphia: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between New Castle, PA and Philadelphia, PA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

New Castle, PA
$45,452
$21.85/hr
Philadelphia, PA
$50,999
$24.52/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew Castle, PAPhiladelphia, PA
Median Salary$45,452$50,999
Hourly Rate$21.85$24.52
Entry Level (P10)$36,062$38,877
25th Percentile$39,657$46,483
75th Percentile$52,818$62,319
Top Earner (P90)$55,362$68,702
Total Employed43,370
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New Castle ($45,452) and Philadelphia ($50,999) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.New CastlePhiladelphiaMedian Salary$45,452$50,999Entry Level (P10)$36,062$38,877Top Earner (P90)$55,362$68,702US Median $49,986

Verdict

Philadelphia, PA offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to New Castle.

The salary gap between New Castle and Philadelphia is $5,547 (12.20%). Philadelphia's median is +2.03% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in New Castle spans $19,300,Philadelphia spans $29,825. Philadelphia has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

New Castle
P10 (Entry)$36,062
P25$39,657
Median$45,452
P75$52,818
P90 (Top)$55,362
Philadelphia
P10 (Entry)$38,877
P25$46,483
Median$50,999
P75$62,319
P90 (Top)$68,702

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Philadelphia ($49,729 effective) pays 6.57% more than New Castle ($46,665 effective).

New Castle
Nominal: $45,452
CoL Index: 97.4
Adjusted: $46,665
Philadelphia
Nominal: $50,999
CoL Index: 102.554
Adjusted: $49,729

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose New Castle if…

  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Choose Philadelphia if…

  • Higher median salary ($50,999/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($68,702)
  • Larger job market (3,370 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $49,729)
  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in New Castle grew 15.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 28.0% growth in Philadelphia over the same period.

New Castle, PA

+15.6%

$37,274 (2024) → $43,082 (2025)

Philadelphia, PA

+28.0%

$37,780 (2019) → $48,340 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: New Castle or Philadelphia?

Philadelphia has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $50,999/year, compared to New Castle at $45,452/year — a difference of $5,547 (12.20%).

What is the hourly rate difference between New Castle and Philadelphia?

New Castle veterinary technologist and technicians earn $21.85/hr while Philadelphia hygienists earn $24.52/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from New Castle to Philadelphia as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing New Castle and Philadelphia. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New Castle = $46,665, Philadelphia = $49,729), job availability (4 vs 3,370 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in New Castle vs Philadelphia?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $36,062 in New Castle and $38,877 in Philadelphia. The Philadelphia 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