Vet Tech salary

New York vs Ithaca: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between New York, NY and Ithaca, NY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

New York, NY
$62,962
$30.27/hr
Ithaca, NY
$59,523
$28.62/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew York, NYIthaca, NY
Median Salary$62,962$59,523
Hourly Rate$30.27$28.62
Entry Level (P10)$49,121$47,464
25th Percentile$52,613$52,244
75th Percentile$74,894$62,646
Top Earner (P90)$82,818$62,646
Total Employed4,85080
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New York ($62,962) and Ithaca ($59,523) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.New YorkIthacaMedian Salary$62,962$59,523Entry Level (P10)$49,121$47,464Top Earner (P90)$82,818$62,646US Median $49,986

Verdict

New York, NY offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Ithaca.

The salary gap between New York and Ithaca is $3,439 (5.78%). New York's median is +25.96% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in New York spans $33,697,Ithaca spans $15,182. New York has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

New York
P10 (Entry)$49,121
P25$52,613
Median$62,962
P75$74,894
P90 (Top)$82,818
Ithaca
P10 (Entry)$47,464
P25$52,244
Median$59,523
P75$62,646
P90 (Top)$62,646

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Ithaca ($57,612 effective) pays 3.00% more than New York ($55,935 effective).

New York
Nominal: $62,962
CoL Index: 112.563
Adjusted: $55,935
Ithaca
Nominal: $59,523
CoL Index: 103.317
Adjusted: $57,612

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose New York if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,962/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($82,818)
  • Larger job market (4,850 employed)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Choose Ithaca if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $57,612)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in New York grew 41.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 21.2% growth in Ithaca over the same period.

New York, NY

+41.5%

$42,190 (2019) → $59,680 (2025)

Ithaca, NY

+21.2%

$46,570 (2019) → $56,420 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: New York or Ithaca?

New York has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $62,962/year, compared to Ithaca at $59,523/year — a difference of $3,439 (5.78%).

What is the hourly rate difference between New York and Ithaca?

New York veterinary technologist and technicians earn $30.27/hr while Ithaca hygienists earn $28.62/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from New York to Ithaca as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing New York and Ithaca. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New York = $55,935, Ithaca = $57,612), job availability (4,850 vs 80 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in New York vs Ithaca?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $49,121 in New York and $47,464 in Ithaca. The New York 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