Vet Tech salary

Salisbury vs Wheaton: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Salisbury, MD and Wheaton, MD. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Salisbury, MD
$48,034
$23.09/hr
Wheaton, MD
$54,627
$26.26/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSalisbury, MDWheaton, MD
Median Salary$48,034$54,627
Hourly Rate$23.09$26.26
Entry Level (P10)$32,916$40,056
25th Percentile$40,174$43,616
75th Percentile$51,210$66,156
Top Earner (P90)$53,077$71,921
Total Employed6011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Salisbury ($48,034) and Wheaton ($54,627) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.SalisburyWheatonMedian Salary$48,034$54,627Entry Level (P10)$32,916$40,056Top Earner (P90)$53,077$71,921US Median $49,986

Verdict

Wheaton, MD offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Salisbury.

The salary gap between Salisbury and Wheaton is $6,593 (13.73%). Wheaton's median is +9.28% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Salisbury spans $20,161,Wheaton spans $31,865. Wheaton has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Salisbury
P10 (Entry)$32,916
P25$40,174
Median$48,034
P75$51,210
P90 (Top)$53,077
Wheaton
P10 (Entry)$40,056
P25$43,616
Median$54,627
P75$66,156
P90 (Top)$71,921

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Salisbury ($50,236 effective) pays 0.51% more than Wheaton ($49,979 effective).

Salisbury
Nominal: $48,034
CoL Index: 95.617
Adjusted: $50,236
Wheaton
Nominal: $54,627
CoL Index: 109.3
Adjusted: $49,979

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Salisbury if…

  • Larger job market (60 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $50,236)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Choose Wheaton if…

  • Higher median salary ($54,627/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($71,921)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Salisbury grew 33.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 7.7% growth in Wheaton over the same period.

Salisbury, MD

+33.2%

$34,170 (2019) → $45,530 (2025)

Wheaton, MD

+7.7%

$48,085 (2024) → $51,779 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Salisbury or Wheaton?

Wheaton has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $54,627/year, compared to Salisbury at $48,034/year — a difference of $6,593 (13.73%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Salisbury and Wheaton?

Salisbury veterinary technologist and technicians earn $23.09/hr while Wheaton hygienists earn $26.26/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Salisbury to Wheaton as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Salisbury and Wheaton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Salisbury = $50,236, Wheaton = $49,979), job availability (60 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Salisbury vs Wheaton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $32,916 in Salisbury and $40,056 in Wheaton. The Wheaton 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