Vet Tech salary

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

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

Seattle, WA
$64,629
$31.07/hr
Wenatchee, WA
$59,379
$28.55/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSeattle, WAWenatchee, WA
Median Salary$64,629$59,379
Hourly Rate$31.07$28.55
Entry Level (P10)$52,075$46,604
25th Percentile$60,589$49,405
75th Percentile$73,745$72,143
Top Earner (P90)$82,353$75,601
Total Employed1,1708
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Seattle ($64,629) and Wenatchee ($59,379) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.SeattleWenatcheeMedian Salary$64,629$59,379Entry Level (P10)$52,075$46,604Top Earner (P90)$82,353$75,601US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Seattle and Wenatchee is $5,250 (8.84%). 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,Wenatchee spans $28,997. 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
Wenatchee
P10 (Entry)$46,604
P25$49,405
Median$59,379
P75$72,143
P90 (Top)$75,601

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Seattle ($58,155 effective) pays 5.19% more than Wenatchee ($55,288 effective).

Seattle
Nominal: $64,629
CoL Index: 111.133
Adjusted: $58,155
Wenatchee
Nominal: $59,379
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $55,288

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 Wenatchee 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 84.7% growth in Wenatchee over the same period.

Seattle, WA

+55.8%

$39,320 (2019) → $61,260 (2025)

Wenatchee, WA

+84.7%

$30,470 (2019) → $56,283 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Seattle has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $64,629/year, compared to Wenatchee at $59,379/year — a difference of $5,250 (8.84%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Seattle and Wenatchee?

Seattle veterinary technologist and technicians earn $31.07/hr while Wenatchee hygienists earn $28.55/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Seattle and Wenatchee. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Seattle = $58,155, Wenatchee = $55,288), job availability (1,170 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $52,075 in Seattle and $46,604 in Wenatchee. 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