Vet Tech salary

Richmond vs Williamsburg: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Richmond, VA and Williamsburg, VA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Richmond, VA
$56,147
$27.00/hr
Williamsburg, VA
$47,699
$22.94/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRichmond, VAWilliamsburg, VA
Median Salary$56,147$47,699
Hourly Rate$27.00$22.94
Entry Level (P10)$39,246$37,001
25th Percentile$50,598$39,130
75th Percentile$65,948$54,922
Top Earner (P90)$75,696$61,535
Total Employed4205
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Richmond ($56,147) and Williamsburg ($47,699) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.RichmondWilliamsburgMedian Salary$56,147$47,699Entry Level (P10)$39,246$37,001Top Earner (P90)$75,696$61,535US Median $49,986

Verdict

Richmond, VA offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Williamsburg.

The salary gap between Richmond and Williamsburg is $8,448 (17.71%). Richmond's median is +12.33% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Richmond spans $36,450,Williamsburg spans $24,534. Richmond has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Richmond
P10 (Entry)$39,246
P25$50,598
Median$56,147
P75$65,948
P90 (Top)$75,696
Williamsburg
P10 (Entry)$37,001
P25$39,130
Median$47,699
P75$54,922
P90 (Top)$61,535

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Richmond ($57,376 effective) pays 24.14% more than Williamsburg ($46,220 effective).

Richmond
Nominal: $56,147
CoL Index: 97.858
Adjusted: $57,376
Williamsburg
Nominal: $47,699
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $46,220

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Richmond if…

  • Higher median salary ($56,147/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($75,696)
  • Larger job market (420 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $57,376)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Williamsburg if…

  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Richmond grew 27.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 15.7% growth in Williamsburg over the same period.

Richmond, VA

+27.5%

$41,750 (2019) → $53,220 (2025)

Williamsburg, VA

+15.7%

$39,090 (2024) → $45,212 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Richmond or Williamsburg?

Richmond has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $56,147/year, compared to Williamsburg at $47,699/year — a difference of $8,448 (17.71%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Richmond and Williamsburg?

Richmond veterinary technologist and technicians earn $27.00/hr while Williamsburg hygienists earn $22.94/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Richmond to Williamsburg as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Richmond and Williamsburg. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Richmond = $57,376, Williamsburg = $46,220), job availability (420 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Richmond vs Williamsburg?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $39,246 in Richmond and $37,001 in Williamsburg. The Richmond 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