Vet Tech salary

Raleigh vs Wilson: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Raleigh, NC and Wilson, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Raleigh, NC
$53,003
$25.48/hr
Wilson, NC
$47,524
$22.85/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRaleigh, NCWilson, NC
Median Salary$53,003$47,524
Hourly Rate$25.48$22.85
Entry Level (P10)$39,162$38,146
25th Percentile$42,253$40,166
75th Percentile$55,071$58,346
Top Earner (P90)$63,110$61,503
Total Employed6807
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Raleigh ($53,003) and Wilson ($47,524) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.RaleighWilsonMedian Salary$53,003$47,524Entry Level (P10)$39,162$38,146Top Earner (P90)$63,110$61,503US Median $49,986

Verdict

Raleigh, NC offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Wilson.

The salary gap between Raleigh and Wilson is $5,479 (11.53%). Raleigh's median is +6.04% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Raleigh spans $23,948,Wilson spans $23,357. Raleigh has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Raleigh
P10 (Entry)$39,162
P25$42,253
Median$53,003
P75$55,071
P90 (Top)$63,110
Wilson
P10 (Entry)$38,146
P25$40,166
Median$47,524
P75$58,346
P90 (Top)$61,503

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Raleigh ($53,998 effective) pays 6.35% more than Wilson ($50,774 effective).

Raleigh
Nominal: $53,003
CoL Index: 98.157
Adjusted: $53,998
Wilson
Nominal: $47,524
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $50,774

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Raleigh if…

  • Higher median salary ($53,003/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($63,110)
  • Larger job market (680 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $53,998)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Wilson if…

  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Raleigh grew 39.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 39.5% growth in Wilson over the same period.

Raleigh, NC

+39.6%

$36,000 (2019) → $50,240 (2025)

Wilson, NC

+39.5%

$32,302 (2024) → $45,046 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Raleigh or Wilson?

Raleigh has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $53,003/year, compared to Wilson at $47,524/year — a difference of $5,479 (11.53%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Raleigh and Wilson?

Raleigh veterinary technologist and technicians earn $25.48/hr while Wilson hygienists earn $22.85/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Raleigh to Wilson as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Raleigh and Wilson. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Raleigh = $53,998, Wilson = $50,774), job availability (680 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Raleigh vs Wilson?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $39,162 in Raleigh and $38,146 in Wilson. The Raleigh 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