Vet Tech salary

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

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

New Castle, PA
$45,452
$21.85/hr
Pittsburgh, PA
$47,918
$23.04/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew Castle, PAPittsburgh, PA
Median Salary$45,452$47,918
Hourly Rate$21.85$23.04
Entry Level (P10)$36,062$38,930
25th Percentile$39,657$39,963
75th Percentile$52,818$52,339
Top Earner (P90)$55,362$61,158
Total Employed41,310
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New Castle ($45,452) and Pittsburgh ($47,918) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.New CastlePittsburghMedian Salary$45,452$47,918Entry Level (P10)$36,062$38,930Top Earner (P90)$55,362$61,158US Median $49,986

Verdict

Pittsburgh, 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 Pittsburgh is $2,466 (5.43%). Pittsburgh's median is -4.14% 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,Pittsburgh spans $22,228. Pittsburgh 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
Pittsburgh
P10 (Entry)$38,930
P25$39,963
Median$47,918
P75$52,339
P90 (Top)$61,158

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Pittsburgh ($50,615 effective) pays 8.46% more than New Castle ($46,665 effective).

New Castle
Nominal: $45,452
CoL Index: 97.4
Adjusted: $46,665
Pittsburgh
Nominal: $47,918
CoL Index: 94.671
Adjusted: $50,615

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 Pittsburgh if…

  • Higher median salary ($47,918/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($61,158)
  • Larger job market (1,310 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $50,615)
  • 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 37.9% growth in Pittsburgh over the same period.

New Castle, PA

+15.6%

$37,274 (2024) → $43,082 (2025)

Pittsburgh, PA

+37.9%

$32,930 (2019) → $45,420 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Pittsburgh has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $47,918/year, compared to New Castle at $45,452/year — a difference of $2,466 (5.43%).

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

New Castle veterinary technologist and technicians earn $21.85/hr while Pittsburgh hygienists earn $23.04/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing New Castle and Pittsburgh. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New Castle = $46,665, Pittsburgh = $50,615), job availability (4 vs 1,310 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $36,062 in New Castle and $38,930 in Pittsburgh. The Pittsburgh 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