Vet Tech salary

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

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

Richmond, VA
$56,147
$27.00/hr
Woodbridge, VA
$48,425
$23.28/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRichmond, VAWoodbridge, VA
Median Salary$56,147$48,425
Hourly Rate$27.00$23.28
Entry Level (P10)$39,246$39,093
25th Percentile$50,598$41,093
75th Percentile$65,948$56,678
Top Earner (P90)$75,696$64,766
Total Employed4209
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Richmond ($56,147) and Woodbridge ($48,425) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.RichmondWoodbridgeMedian Salary$56,147$48,425Entry Level (P10)$39,246$39,093Top Earner (P90)$75,696$64,766US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Richmond and Woodbridge is $7,722 (15.95%). 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,Woodbridge spans $25,673. 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
Woodbridge
P10 (Entry)$39,093
P25$41,093
Median$48,425
P75$56,678
P90 (Top)$64,766

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Richmond ($57,376 effective) pays 22.28% more than Woodbridge ($46,923 effective).

Richmond
Nominal: $56,147
CoL Index: 97.858
Adjusted: $57,376
Woodbridge
Nominal: $48,425
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $46,923

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 Woodbridge 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 Woodbridge over the same period.

Richmond, VA

+27.5%

$41,750 (2019) → $53,220 (2025)

Woodbridge, VA

+15.7%

$39,684 (2024) → $45,900 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Richmond has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $56,147/year, compared to Woodbridge at $48,425/year — a difference of $7,722 (15.95%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Richmond and Woodbridge?

Richmond veterinary technologist and technicians earn $27.00/hr while Woodbridge hygienists earn $23.28/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Richmond and Woodbridge. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Richmond = $57,376, Woodbridge = $46,923), job availability (420 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $39,246 in Richmond and $39,093 in Woodbridge. 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