Vet Tech salary

Seattle vs Shoreline: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

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

Seattle, WA
$64,629
$31.07/hr
Shoreline, WA
$62,815
$30.20/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSeattle, WAShoreline, WA
Median Salary$64,629$62,815
Hourly Rate$31.07$30.20
Entry Level (P10)$52,075$46,382
25th Percentile$60,589$50,394
75th Percentile$73,745$76,312
Top Earner (P90)$82,353$83,103
Total Employed1,1708
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Seattle ($64,629) and Shoreline ($62,815) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.SeattleShorelineMedian Salary$64,629$62,815Entry Level (P10)$52,075$46,382Top Earner (P90)$82,353$83,103US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Seattle and Shoreline is $1,814 (2.89%). 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,Shoreline spans $36,721. Shoreline 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
Shoreline
P10 (Entry)$46,382
P25$50,394
Median$62,815
P75$76,312
P90 (Top)$83,103

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Shoreline ($58,487 effective) pays 0.57% more than Seattle ($58,155 effective).

Seattle
Nominal: $64,629
CoL Index: 111.133
Adjusted: $58,155
Shoreline
Nominal: $62,815
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $58,487

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 Shoreline if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($83,103)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $58,487)
  • 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 10.5% growth in Shoreline over the same period.

Seattle, WA

+55.8%

$39,320 (2019) → $61,260 (2025)

Shoreline, WA

+10.5%

$53,863 (2024) → $59,540 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Seattle has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $64,629/year, compared to Shoreline at $62,815/year — a difference of $1,814 (2.89%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Seattle and Shoreline?

Seattle veterinary technologist and technicians earn $31.07/hr while Shoreline hygienists earn $30.20/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Seattle and Shoreline. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Seattle = $58,155, Shoreline = $58,487), job availability (1,170 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $52,075 in Seattle and $46,382 in Shoreline. 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