Vet Tech salary

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

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

Seattle, WA
$64,629
$31.07/hr
Spokane, WA
$60,241
$28.96/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSeattle, WASpokane, WA
Median Salary$64,629$60,241
Hourly Rate$31.07$28.96
Entry Level (P10)$52,075$39,436
25th Percentile$60,589$50,039
75th Percentile$73,745$63,363
Top Earner (P90)$82,353$65,695
Total Employed1,170170
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Seattle ($64,629) and Spokane ($60,241) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.SeattleSpokaneMedian Salary$64,629$60,241Entry Level (P10)$52,075$39,436Top Earner (P90)$82,353$65,695US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Seattle and Spokane is $4,388 (7.28%). 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,Spokane spans $26,259. Seattle has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Seattle
P10 (Entry)$52,075
P25$60,589
Median$64,629
P75$73,745
P90 (Top)$82,353
Spokane
P10 (Entry)$39,436
P25$50,039
Median$60,241
P75$63,363
P90 (Top)$65,695

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Spokane ($60,033 effective) pays 3.23% more than Seattle ($58,155 effective).

Seattle
Nominal: $64,629
CoL Index: 111.133
Adjusted: $58,155
Spokane
Nominal: $60,241
CoL Index: 100.346
Adjusted: $60,033

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)
  • Better top-earner potential ($82,353)
  • Larger job market (1,170 employed)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Spokane if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $60,033)
  • 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 64.5% growth in Spokane over the same period.

Seattle, WA

+55.8%

$39,320 (2019) → $61,260 (2025)

Spokane, WA

+64.5%

$34,720 (2019) → $57,100 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Seattle has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $64,629/year, compared to Spokane at $60,241/year — a difference of $4,388 (7.28%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Seattle and Spokane?

Seattle veterinary technologist and technicians earn $31.07/hr while Spokane hygienists earn $28.96/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Seattle and Spokane. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Seattle = $58,155, Spokane = $60,033), job availability (1,170 vs 170 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $52,075 in Seattle and $39,436 in Spokane. 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