Vet Tech salary

Orlando vs Jacksonville: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Orlando, FL and Jacksonville, FL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Orlando, FL
$47,570
$22.87/hr
Jacksonville, FL
$49,131
$23.62/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricOrlando, FLJacksonville, FL
Median Salary$47,570$49,131
Hourly Rate$22.87$23.62
Entry Level (P10)$38,328$39,520
25th Percentile$41,303$41,419
75th Percentile$51,220$52,085
Top Earner (P90)$61,264$61,570
Total Employed1,2701,120
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Orlando ($47,570) and Jacksonville ($49,131) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.OrlandoJacksonvilleMedian Salary$47,570$49,131Entry Level (P10)$38,328$39,520Top Earner (P90)$61,264$61,570US Median $49,986

Verdict

Jacksonville, FL offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Orlando.

The salary gap between Orlando and Jacksonville is $1,561 (3.28%). Jacksonville's median is -1.71% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Orlando spans $22,936,Jacksonville spans $22,050. Orlando has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Orlando
P10 (Entry)$38,328
P25$41,303
Median$47,570
P75$51,220
P90 (Top)$61,264
Jacksonville
P10 (Entry)$39,520
P25$41,419
Median$49,131
P75$52,085
P90 (Top)$61,570

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Jacksonville ($49,386 effective) pays 5.29% more than Orlando ($46,905 effective).

Orlando
Nominal: $47,570
CoL Index: 101.418
Adjusted: $46,905
Jacksonville
Nominal: $49,131
CoL Index: 99.484
Adjusted: $49,386

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Orlando if…

  • Larger job market (1,270 employed)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose Jacksonville if…

  • Higher median salary ($49,131/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($61,570)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $49,386)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Orlando grew 53.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 64.5% growth in Jacksonville over the same period.

Orlando, FL

+53.6%

$29,350 (2019) → $45,090 (2025)

Jacksonville, FL

+64.5%

$28,310 (2019) → $46,570 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Orlando or Jacksonville?

Jacksonville has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $49,131/year, compared to Orlando at $47,570/year — a difference of $1,561 (3.28%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Orlando and Jacksonville?

Orlando veterinary technologist and technicians earn $22.87/hr while Jacksonville hygienists earn $23.62/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Orlando to Jacksonville as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Orlando and Jacksonville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Orlando = $46,905, Jacksonville = $49,386), job availability (1,270 vs 1,120 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Orlando vs Jacksonville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $38,328 in Orlando and $39,520 in Jacksonville. The Jacksonville 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