Vet Tech salary

Tampa vs Wellington: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Tampa, FL and Wellington, FL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Tampa, FL
$49,691
$23.90/hr
Wellington, FL
$46,579
$22.40/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricTampa, FLWellington, FL
Median Salary$49,691$46,579
Hourly Rate$23.90$22.40
Entry Level (P10)$39,721$36,146
25th Percentile$41,609$38,720
75th Percentile$54,122$57,974
Top Earner (P90)$62,646$63,756
Total Employed1,82010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Tampa ($49,691) and Wellington ($46,579) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.TampaWellingtonMedian Salary$49,691$46,579Entry Level (P10)$39,721$36,146Top Earner (P90)$62,646$63,756US Median $49,986

Verdict

Tampa, FL offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Wellington.

The salary gap between Tampa and Wellington is $3,112 (6.68%). Tampa's median is -0.59% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Tampa spans $22,925,Wellington spans $27,610. Wellington has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Tampa
P10 (Entry)$39,721
P25$41,609
Median$49,691
P75$54,122
P90 (Top)$62,646
Wellington
P10 (Entry)$36,146
P25$38,720
Median$46,579
P75$57,974
P90 (Top)$63,756

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Tampa ($49,253 effective) pays 6.59% more than Wellington ($46,209 effective).

Tampa
Nominal: $49,691
CoL Index: 100.89
Adjusted: $49,253
Wellington
Nominal: $46,579
CoL Index: 100.8
Adjusted: $46,209

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Tampa if…

  • Higher median salary ($49,691/year)
  • Larger job market (1,820 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $49,253)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose Wellington if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($63,756)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Tampa grew 50.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 24.5% growth in Wellington over the same period.

Tampa, FL

+50.4%

$31,320 (2019) → $47,100 (2025)

Wellington, FL

+24.5%

$35,470 (2024) → $44,151 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Tampa or Wellington?

Tampa has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $49,691/year, compared to Wellington at $46,579/year — a difference of $3,112 (6.68%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Tampa and Wellington?

Tampa veterinary technologist and technicians earn $23.90/hr while Wellington hygienists earn $22.40/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Tampa to Wellington as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Tampa and Wellington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Tampa = $49,253, Wellington = $46,209), job availability (1,820 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Tampa vs Wellington?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $39,721 in Tampa and $36,146 in Wellington. The Tampa 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