Vet Tech salary

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

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

Tampa, FL
$49,691
$23.90/hr
Wildwood, FL
$40,702
$19.57/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricTampa, FLWildwood, FL
Median Salary$49,691$40,702
Hourly Rate$23.90$19.57
Entry Level (P10)$39,721$37,273
25th Percentile$41,609$40,385
75th Percentile$54,122$46,979
Top Earner (P90)$62,646$48,530
Total Employed1,82050
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Tampa ($49,691) and Wildwood ($40,702) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.TampaWildwoodMedian Salary$49,691$40,702Entry Level (P10)$39,721$37,273Top Earner (P90)$62,646$48,530US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Tampa and Wildwood is $8,989 (22.08%). 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,Wildwood spans $11,257. Tampa has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Tampa
P10 (Entry)$39,721
P25$41,609
Median$49,691
P75$54,122
P90 (Top)$62,646
Wildwood
P10 (Entry)$37,273
P25$40,385
Median$40,702
P75$46,979
P90 (Top)$48,530

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Tampa ($49,253 effective) pays 3.37% more than Wildwood ($47,647 effective).

Tampa
Nominal: $49,691
CoL Index: 100.89
Adjusted: $49,253
Wildwood
Nominal: $40,702
CoL Index: 85.424
Adjusted: $47,647

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)
  • Better top-earner potential ($62,646)
  • Larger job market (1,820 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $49,253)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose Wildwood if…

  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Tampa has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $49,691/year, compared to Wildwood at $40,702/year — a difference of $8,989 (22.08%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Tampa and Wildwood?

Tampa veterinary technologist and technicians earn $23.90/hr while Wildwood hygienists earn $19.57/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Tampa and Wildwood. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Tampa = $49,253, Wildwood = $47,647), job availability (1,820 vs 50 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $39,721 in Tampa and $37,273 in Wildwood. 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