Vet Tech salary

Spokane vs University Place: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

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

Spokane, WA
$60,241
$28.96/hr
University Place, WA
$61,415
$29.53/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSpokane, WAUniversity Place, WA
Median Salary$60,241$61,415
Hourly Rate$28.96$29.53
Entry Level (P10)$39,436$46,532
25th Percentile$50,039$49,866
75th Percentile$63,363$72,097
Top Earner (P90)$65,695$82,188
Total Employed1706
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Spokane ($60,241) and University Place ($61,415) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.SpokaneUniversity PlaceMedian Salary$60,241$61,415Entry Level (P10)$39,436$46,532Top Earner (P90)$65,695$82,188US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Spokane and University Place is $1,174 (1.95%). University Place's median is +22.86% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Spokane spans $26,259,University Place spans $35,656. University Place has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Spokane
P10 (Entry)$39,436
P25$50,039
Median$60,241
P75$63,363
P90 (Top)$65,695
University Place
P10 (Entry)$46,532
P25$49,866
Median$61,415
P75$72,097
P90 (Top)$82,188

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Spokane ($60,033 effective) pays 4.98% more than University Place ($57,183 effective).

Spokane
Nominal: $60,241
CoL Index: 100.346
Adjusted: $60,033
University Place
Nominal: $61,415
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $57,183

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Spokane if…

  • Larger job market (170 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $60,033)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose University Place if…

  • Higher median salary ($61,415/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($82,188)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Spokane grew 64.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 10.5% growth in University Place over the same period.

Spokane, WA

+64.5%

$34,720 (2019) → $57,100 (2025)

University Place, WA

+10.5%

$52,662 (2024) → $58,213 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

University Place has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $61,415/year, compared to Spokane at $60,241/year — a difference of $1,174 (1.95%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Spokane and University Place?

Spokane veterinary technologist and technicians earn $28.96/hr while University Place hygienists earn $29.53/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Spokane and University Place. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Spokane = $60,033, University Place = $57,183), job availability (170 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $39,436 in Spokane and $46,532 in University Place. The University Place 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