Vet Tech salary

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

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

Bloomington, MN
$61,235
$29.45/hr
Duluth, MN
$50,925
$24.49/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBloomington, MNDuluth, MN
Median Salary$61,235$50,925
Hourly Rate$29.45$24.49
Entry Level (P10)$47,027$39,499
25th Percentile$49,193$45,871
75th Percentile$74,482$58,869
Top Earner (P90)$80,926$61,011
Total Employed18140
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bloomington ($61,235) and Duluth ($50,925) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.BloomingtonDuluthMedian Salary$61,235$50,925Entry Level (P10)$47,027$39,499Top Earner (P90)$80,926$61,011US Median $49,986

Verdict

Bloomington, MN offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Duluth.

The salary gap between Bloomington and Duluth is $10,310 (20.25%). Bloomington's median is +22.50% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bloomington spans $33,899,Duluth spans $21,512. Bloomington has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Bloomington
P10 (Entry)$47,027
P25$49,193
Median$61,235
P75$74,482
P90 (Top)$80,926
Duluth
P10 (Entry)$39,499
P25$45,871
Median$50,925
P75$58,869
P90 (Top)$61,011

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Bloomington ($62,168 effective) pays 8.36% more than Duluth ($57,369 effective).

Bloomington
Nominal: $61,235
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $62,168
Duluth
Nominal: $50,925
CoL Index: 88.768
Adjusted: $57,369

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bloomington if…

  • Higher median salary ($61,235/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($80,926)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $62,168)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose Duluth if…

  • Larger job market (140 employed)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Bloomington grew 44.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 34.9% growth in Duluth over the same period.

Bloomington, MN

+44.3%

$40,231 (2024) → $58,043 (2025)

Duluth, MN

+34.9%

$35,770 (2019) → $48,270 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Bloomington has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $61,235/year, compared to Duluth at $50,925/year — a difference of $10,310 (20.25%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bloomington and Duluth?

Bloomington veterinary technologist and technicians earn $29.45/hr while Duluth hygienists earn $24.49/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bloomington and Duluth. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bloomington = $62,168, Duluth = $57,369), job availability (18 vs 140 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $47,027 in Bloomington and $39,499 in Duluth. The Bloomington 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