Vet Tech salary

Portland vs Sherwood: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Portland, OR and Sherwood, OR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Portland, OR
$61,507
$29.57/hr
Sherwood, OR
$52,987
$25.48/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPortland, ORSherwood, OR
Median Salary$61,507$52,987
Hourly Rate$29.57$25.48
Entry Level (P10)$49,047$41,162
25th Percentile$52,792$43,510
75th Percentile$66,940$62,097
Top Earner (P90)$81,552$68,550
Total Employed7604
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Portland ($61,507) and Sherwood ($52,987) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.PortlandSherwoodMedian Salary$61,507$52,987Entry Level (P10)$49,047$41,162Top Earner (P90)$81,552$68,550US Median $49,986

Verdict

Portland, OR offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Sherwood.

The salary gap between Portland and Sherwood is $8,520 (16.08%). Portland's median is +23.05% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Portland spans $32,505,Sherwood spans $27,388. Portland has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Portland
P10 (Entry)$49,047
P25$52,792
Median$61,507
P75$66,940
P90 (Top)$81,552
Sherwood
P10 (Entry)$41,162
P25$43,510
Median$52,987
P75$62,097
P90 (Top)$68,550

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Portland ($58,344 effective) pays 12.97% more than Sherwood ($51,644 effective).

Portland
Nominal: $61,507
CoL Index: 105.421
Adjusted: $58,344
Sherwood
Nominal: $52,987
CoL Index: 102.6
Adjusted: $51,644

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Portland if…

  • Higher median salary ($61,507/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($81,552)
  • Larger job market (760 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $58,344)
  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Choose Sherwood if…

  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Portland grew 59.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 7.6% growth in Sherwood over the same period.

Portland, OR

+59.9%

$36,450 (2019) → $58,300 (2025)

Sherwood, OR

+7.6%

$46,665 (2024) → $50,225 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Portland or Sherwood?

Portland has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $61,507/year, compared to Sherwood at $52,987/year — a difference of $8,520 (16.08%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Portland and Sherwood?

Portland veterinary technologist and technicians earn $29.57/hr while Sherwood hygienists earn $25.48/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Portland to Sherwood as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Portland and Sherwood. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Portland = $58,344, Sherwood = $51,644), job availability (760 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Portland vs Sherwood?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $49,047 in Portland and $41,162 in Sherwood. The Portland area offers higher starting salaries.
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