Vet Tech salary

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

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

Seattle, WA
$64,629
$31.07/hr
Walla Walla, WA
$59,446
$28.58/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSeattle, WAWalla Walla, WA
Median Salary$64,629$59,446
Hourly Rate$31.07$28.58
Entry Level (P10)$52,075$46,766
25th Percentile$60,589$49,542
75th Percentile$73,745$71,022
Top Earner (P90)$82,353$75,817
Total Employed1,1706
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Seattle ($64,629) and Walla Walla ($59,446) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.SeattleWalla WallaMedian Salary$64,629$59,446Entry Level (P10)$52,075$46,766Top Earner (P90)$82,353$75,817US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Seattle and Walla Walla is $5,183 (8.72%). 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,Walla Walla spans $29,051. 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
Walla Walla
P10 (Entry)$46,766
P25$49,542
Median$59,446
P75$71,022
P90 (Top)$75,817

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Seattle ($58,155 effective) pays 5.07% more than Walla Walla ($55,350 effective).

Seattle
Nominal: $64,629
CoL Index: 111.133
Adjusted: $58,155
Walla Walla
Nominal: $59,446
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $55,350

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)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $58,155)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Walla Walla if…

  • 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 Walla Walla over the same period.

Seattle, WA

+55.8%

$39,320 (2019) → $61,260 (2025)

Walla Walla, WA

+10.5%

$50,974 (2024) → $56,347 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Seattle has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $64,629/year, compared to Walla Walla at $59,446/year — a difference of $5,183 (8.72%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Seattle and Walla Walla?

Seattle veterinary technologist and technicians earn $31.07/hr while Walla Walla hygienists earn $28.58/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Seattle and Walla Walla. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Seattle = $58,155, Walla Walla = $55,350), job availability (1,170 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $52,075 in Seattle and $46,766 in Walla Walla. 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