Vet Tech salary

Orlando vs St. Cloud: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

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

Orlando, FL
$47,570
$22.87/hr
St. Cloud, FL
$46,579
$22.40/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricOrlando, FLSt. Cloud, FL
Median Salary$47,570$46,579
Hourly Rate$22.87$22.40
Entry Level (P10)$38,328$36,146
25th Percentile$41,303$38,720
75th Percentile$51,220$56,955
Top Earner (P90)$61,264$62,056
Total Employed1,27011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Orlando ($47,570) and St. Cloud ($46,579) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.OrlandoSt. CloudMedian Salary$47,570$46,579Entry Level (P10)$38,328$36,146Top Earner (P90)$61,264$62,056US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Orlando and St. Cloud is $991 (2.13%). Orlando's median is -4.83% 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,St. Cloud spans $25,910. St. Cloud has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Orlando
P10 (Entry)$38,328
P25$41,303
Median$47,570
P75$51,220
P90 (Top)$61,264
St. Cloud
P10 (Entry)$36,146
P25$38,720
Median$46,579
P75$56,955
P90 (Top)$62,056

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Orlando ($46,905 effective) pays 1.51% more than St. Cloud ($46,209 effective).

Orlando
Nominal: $47,570
CoL Index: 101.418
Adjusted: $46,905
St. Cloud
Nominal: $46,579
CoL Index: 100.8
Adjusted: $46,209

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Orlando if…

  • Higher median salary ($47,570/year)
  • Larger job market (1,270 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $46,905)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose St. Cloud if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($62,056)
  • 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 24.5% growth in St. Cloud over the same period.

Orlando, FL

+53.6%

$29,350 (2019) → $45,090 (2025)

St. Cloud, FL

+24.5%

$35,470 (2024) → $44,151 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Orlando or St. Cloud?

Orlando has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $47,570/year, compared to St. Cloud at $46,579/year — a difference of $991 (2.13%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Orlando and St. Cloud?

Orlando veterinary technologist and technicians earn $22.87/hr while St. Cloud hygienists earn $22.40/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Orlando to St. Cloud as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Orlando and St. Cloud. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Orlando = $46,905, St. Cloud = $46,209), job availability (1,270 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Orlando vs St. Cloud?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $38,328 in Orlando and $36,146 in St. Cloud. The Orlando 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