Vet Tech salary

Bloomington vs Champaign: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Bloomington, IL and Champaign, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bloomington, IL
$49,522
$23.81/hr
Champaign, IL
$56,031
$26.94/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBloomington, ILChampaign, IL
Median Salary$49,522$56,031
Hourly Rate$23.81$26.94
Entry Level (P10)$39,119$44,205
25th Percentile$40,037$48,920
75th Percentile$52,919$61,570
Top Earner (P90)$61,960$68,005
Total Employed60260
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bloomington ($49,522) and Champaign ($56,031) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.BloomingtonChampaignMedian Salary$49,522$56,031Entry Level (P10)$39,119$44,205Top Earner (P90)$61,960$68,005US Median $49,986

Verdict

Champaign, IL offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Bloomington.

The salary gap between Bloomington and Champaign is $6,509 (13.14%). Champaign's median is +12.09% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bloomington spans $22,841,Champaign spans $23,800. Champaign has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Bloomington
P10 (Entry)$39,119
P25$40,037
Median$49,522
P75$52,919
P90 (Top)$61,960
Champaign
P10 (Entry)$44,205
P25$48,920
Median$56,031
P75$61,570
P90 (Top)$68,005

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Champaign ($60,441 effective) pays 14.16% more than Bloomington ($52,944 effective).

Bloomington
Nominal: $49,522
CoL Index: 93.537
Adjusted: $52,944
Champaign
Nominal: $56,031
CoL Index: 92.704
Adjusted: $60,441

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bloomington if…

  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Champaign if…

  • Higher median salary ($56,031/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($68,005)
  • Larger job market (260 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $60,441)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Bloomington grew 76.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 43.2% growth in Champaign over the same period.

Bloomington, IL

+76.9%

$26,530 (2019) → $46,940 (2025)

Champaign, IL

+43.2%

$37,090 (2019) → $53,110 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Bloomington or Champaign?

Champaign has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $56,031/year, compared to Bloomington at $49,522/year — a difference of $6,509 (13.14%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bloomington and Champaign?

Bloomington veterinary technologist and technicians earn $23.81/hr while Champaign hygienists earn $26.94/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bloomington to Champaign as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bloomington and Champaign. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bloomington = $52,944, Champaign = $60,441), job availability (60 vs 260 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Bloomington vs Champaign?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $39,119 in Bloomington and $44,205 in Champaign. The Champaign 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