Vet Tech salary

Oak Harbor vs Spokane: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Oak Harbor, WA and Spokane, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Oak Harbor, WA
$59,176
$28.45/hr
Spokane, WA
$60,241
$28.96/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricOak Harbor, WASpokane, WA
Median Salary$59,176$60,241
Hourly Rate$28.45$28.96
Entry Level (P10)$45,687$39,436
25th Percentile$48,387$50,039
75th Percentile$69,245$63,363
Top Earner (P90)$72,568$65,695
Total Employed5170
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Oak Harbor ($59,176) and Spokane ($60,241) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.Oak HarborSpokaneMedian Salary$59,176$60,241Entry Level (P10)$45,687$39,436Top Earner (P90)$72,568$65,695US Median $49,986

Verdict

Spokane, WA offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Oak Harbor.

The salary gap between Oak Harbor and Spokane is $1,065 (1.80%). Spokane's median is +20.52% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Oak Harbor spans $26,881,Spokane spans $26,259. Oak Harbor has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Oak Harbor
P10 (Entry)$45,687
P25$48,387
Median$59,176
P75$69,245
P90 (Top)$72,568
Spokane
P10 (Entry)$39,436
P25$50,039
Median$60,241
P75$63,363
P90 (Top)$65,695

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Spokane ($60,033 effective) pays 8.96% more than Oak Harbor ($55,099 effective).

Oak Harbor
Nominal: $59,176
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $55,099
Spokane
Nominal: $60,241
CoL Index: 100.346
Adjusted: $60,033

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Oak Harbor if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($72,568)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Spokane if…

  • Higher median salary ($60,241/year)
  • Larger job market (170 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $60,033)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Oak Harbor grew 10.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 64.5% growth in Spokane over the same period.

Oak Harbor, WA

+10.5%

$50,743 (2024) → $56,091 (2025)

Spokane, WA

+64.5%

$34,720 (2019) → $57,100 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Oak Harbor or Spokane?

Spokane has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $60,241/year, compared to Oak Harbor at $59,176/year — a difference of $1,065 (1.80%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Oak Harbor and Spokane?

Oak Harbor veterinary technologist and technicians earn $28.45/hr while Spokane hygienists earn $28.96/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Oak Harbor to Spokane as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Oak Harbor and Spokane. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Oak Harbor = $55,099, Spokane = $60,033), job availability (5 vs 170 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Oak Harbor vs Spokane?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $45,687 in Oak Harbor and $39,436 in Spokane. The Oak Harbor 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