Vet Tech salary

Auburn Hills vs Lansing: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Auburn Hills, MI and Lansing, MI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Auburn Hills, MI
$51,021
$24.53/hr
Lansing, MI
$56,390
$27.11/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAuburn Hills, MILansing, MI
Median Salary$51,021$56,390
Hourly Rate$24.53$27.11
Entry Level (P10)$38,287$41,229
25th Percentile$41,153$52,613
75th Percentile$62,567$67,193
Top Earner (P90)$67,969$67,193
Total Employed4210
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Auburn Hills ($51,021) and Lansing ($56,390) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.Auburn HillsLansingMedian Salary$51,021$56,390Entry Level (P10)$38,287$41,229Top Earner (P90)$67,969$67,193US Median $49,986

Verdict

Lansing, MI offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Auburn Hills.

The salary gap between Auburn Hills and Lansing is $5,369 (10.52%). Lansing's median is +12.81% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Auburn Hills spans $29,682,Lansing spans $25,964. Auburn Hills has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Auburn Hills
P10 (Entry)$38,287
P25$41,153
Median$51,021
P75$62,567
P90 (Top)$67,969
Lansing
P10 (Entry)$41,229
P25$52,613
Median$56,390
P75$67,193
P90 (Top)$67,193

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lansing ($59,364 effective) pays 8.44% more than Auburn Hills ($54,744 effective).

Auburn Hills
Nominal: $51,021
CoL Index: 93.2
Adjusted: $54,744
Lansing
Nominal: $56,390
CoL Index: 94.991
Adjusted: $59,364

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Auburn Hills if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($67,969)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Choose Lansing if…

  • Higher median salary ($56,390/year)
  • Larger job market (210 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $59,364)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Auburn Hills grew 39.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 14.4% growth in Lansing over the same period.

Auburn Hills, MI

+39.9%

$34,580 (2024) → $48,361 (2025)

Lansing, MI

+14.4%

$46,740 (2019) → $53,450 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Auburn Hills or Lansing?

Lansing has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $56,390/year, compared to Auburn Hills at $51,021/year — a difference of $5,369 (10.52%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Auburn Hills and Lansing?

Auburn Hills veterinary technologist and technicians earn $24.53/hr while Lansing hygienists earn $27.11/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Auburn Hills to Lansing as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Auburn Hills and Lansing. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Auburn Hills = $54,744, Lansing = $59,364), job availability (4 vs 210 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Auburn Hills vs Lansing?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $38,287 in Auburn Hills and $41,229 in Lansing. The Lansing 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