Vet Tech salary

Pittsburgh vs Scranton: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

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

Pittsburgh, PA
$47,918
$23.04/hr
Scranton, PA
$47,074
$22.63/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPittsburgh, PAScranton, PA
Median Salary$47,918$47,074
Hourly Rate$23.04$22.63
Entry Level (P10)$38,930$38,655
25th Percentile$39,963$39,457
75th Percentile$52,339$49,564
Top Earner (P90)$61,158$60,177
Total Employed1,310180
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Pittsburgh ($47,918) and Scranton ($47,074) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.PittsburghScrantonMedian Salary$47,918$47,074Entry Level (P10)$38,930$38,655Top Earner (P90)$61,158$60,177US Median $49,986

Verdict

Pittsburgh, PA offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Scranton.

The salary gap between Pittsburgh and Scranton is $844 (1.79%). 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 Pittsburgh spans $22,228,Scranton spans $21,522. Pittsburgh has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Pittsburgh
P10 (Entry)$38,930
P25$39,963
Median$47,918
P75$52,339
P90 (Top)$61,158
Scranton
P10 (Entry)$38,655
P25$39,457
Median$47,074
P75$49,564
P90 (Top)$60,177

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Pittsburgh ($50,615 effective) pays 0.59% more than Scranton ($50,316 effective).

Pittsburgh
Nominal: $47,918
CoL Index: 94.671
Adjusted: $50,615
Scranton
Nominal: $47,074
CoL Index: 93.556
Adjusted: $50,316

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose Scranton if…

  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Pittsburgh grew 37.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 14.7% growth in Scranton over the same period.

Pittsburgh, PA

+37.9%

$32,930 (2019) → $45,420 (2025)

Scranton, PA

+14.7%

$38,900 (2019) → $44,620 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Pittsburgh has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $47,918/year, compared to Scranton at $47,074/year — a difference of $844 (1.79%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Pittsburgh and Scranton?

Pittsburgh veterinary technologist and technicians earn $23.04/hr while Scranton hygienists earn $22.63/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Pittsburgh and Scranton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Pittsburgh = $50,615, Scranton = $50,316), job availability (1,310 vs 180 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $38,930 in Pittsburgh and $38,655 in Scranton. 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