Vet Tech salary

Seattle vs Mount Vernon: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Seattle, WA and Mount Vernon, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Seattle, WA
$64,629
$31.07/hr
Mount Vernon, WA
$64,176
$30.85/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSeattle, WAMount Vernon, WA
Median Salary$64,629$64,176
Hourly Rate$31.07$30.85
Entry Level (P10)$52,075$50,577
25th Percentile$60,589$54,216
75th Percentile$73,745$80,528
Top Earner (P90)$82,353$84,590
Total Employed1,17040
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Seattle ($64,629) and Mount Vernon ($64,176) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.SeattleMount VernonMedian Salary$64,629$64,176Entry Level (P10)$52,075$50,577Top Earner (P90)$82,353$84,590US Median $49,986

Verdict

Seattle, WA offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Mount Vernon.

The salary gap between Seattle and Mount Vernon is $453 (0.71%). Seattle's median is +29.29% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Seattle spans $30,278,Mount Vernon spans $34,013. Mount Vernon has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Seattle
P10 (Entry)$52,075
P25$60,589
Median$64,629
P75$73,745
P90 (Top)$82,353
Mount Vernon
P10 (Entry)$50,577
P25$54,216
Median$64,176
P75$80,528
P90 (Top)$84,590

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Mount Vernon ($62,646 effective) pays 7.72% more than Seattle ($58,155 effective).

Seattle
Nominal: $64,629
CoL Index: 111.133
Adjusted: $58,155
Mount Vernon
Nominal: $64,176
CoL Index: 102.443
Adjusted: $62,646

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Seattle if…

  • Higher median salary ($64,629/year)
  • Larger job market (1,170 employed)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Mount Vernon if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($84,590)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $62,646)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Seattle grew 55.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 39.7% growth in Mount Vernon over the same period.

Seattle, WA

+55.8%

$39,320 (2019) → $61,260 (2025)

Mount Vernon, WA

+39.7%

$43,550 (2019) → $60,830 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Seattle or Mount Vernon?

Seattle has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $64,629/year, compared to Mount Vernon at $64,176/year — a difference of $453 (0.71%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Seattle and Mount Vernon?

Seattle veterinary technologist and technicians earn $31.07/hr while Mount Vernon hygienists earn $30.85/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Seattle to Mount Vernon as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Seattle and Mount Vernon. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Seattle = $58,155, Mount Vernon = $62,646), job availability (1,170 vs 40 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Seattle vs Mount Vernon?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $52,075 in Seattle and $50,577 in Mount Vernon. The Seattle 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