Vet Tech salary

Brooklyn Center vs Rochester: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

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

Brooklyn Center, MN
$50,107
$24.09/hr
Rochester, MN
$58,816
$28.27/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBrooklyn Center, MNRochester, MN
Median Salary$50,107$58,816
Hourly Rate$24.09$28.27
Entry Level (P10)$37,899$43,772
25th Percentile$40,635$50,123
75th Percentile$58,775$61,042
Top Earner (P90)$66,978$78,323
Total Employed7140
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Brooklyn Center ($50,107) and Rochester ($58,816) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.Brooklyn CenterRochesterMedian Salary$50,107$58,816Entry Level (P10)$37,899$43,772Top Earner (P90)$66,978$78,323US Median $49,986

Verdict

Rochester, MN offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Brooklyn Center.

The salary gap between Brooklyn Center and Rochester is $8,709 (17.38%). Rochester's median is +17.66% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Brooklyn Center spans $29,079,Rochester spans $34,551. Rochester has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Brooklyn Center
P10 (Entry)$37,899
P25$40,635
Median$50,107
P75$58,775
P90 (Top)$66,978
Rochester
P10 (Entry)$43,772
P25$50,123
Median$58,816
P75$61,042
P90 (Top)$78,323

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Rochester ($64,760 effective) pays 27.31% more than Brooklyn Center ($50,870 effective).

Brooklyn Center
Nominal: $50,107
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $50,870
Rochester
Nominal: $58,816
CoL Index: 90.821
Adjusted: $64,760

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Brooklyn Center if…

  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose Rochester if…

  • Higher median salary ($58,816/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($78,323)
  • Larger job market (140 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $64,760)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Brooklyn Center grew 17.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 57.0% growth in Rochester over the same period.

Brooklyn Center, MN

+17.2%

$40,538 (2024) → $47,495 (2025)

Rochester, MN

+57.0%

$35,520 (2019) → $55,750 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Brooklyn Center or Rochester?

Rochester has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $58,816/year, compared to Brooklyn Center at $50,107/year — a difference of $8,709 (17.38%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Brooklyn Center and Rochester?

Brooklyn Center veterinary technologist and technicians earn $24.09/hr while Rochester hygienists earn $28.27/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Brooklyn Center to Rochester as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Brooklyn Center and Rochester. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Brooklyn Center = $50,870, Rochester = $64,760), job availability (7 vs 140 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Brooklyn Center vs Rochester?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $37,899 in Brooklyn Center and $43,772 in Rochester. The Rochester 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