Vet Tech salary

Caledonia vs Madison: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Caledonia, WI and Madison, WI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Caledonia, WI
$47,932
$23.04/hr
Madison, WI
$50,893
$24.47/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCaledonia, WIMadison, WI
Median Salary$47,932$50,893
Hourly Rate$23.04$24.47
Entry Level (P10)$35,368$41,514
25th Percentile$41,138$48,214
75th Percentile$58,349$59,302
Top Earner (P90)$63,148$64,977
Total Employed4620
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Caledonia ($47,932) and Madison ($50,893) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.CaledoniaMadisonMedian Salary$47,932$50,893Entry Level (P10)$35,368$41,514Top Earner (P90)$63,148$64,977US Median $49,986

Verdict

Madison, WI offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Caledonia.

The salary gap between Caledonia and Madison is $2,961 (6.18%). Madison's median is +1.81% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Caledonia spans $27,780,Madison spans $23,463. Caledonia has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Caledonia
P10 (Entry)$35,368
P25$41,138
Median$47,932
P75$58,349
P90 (Top)$63,148
Madison
P10 (Entry)$41,514
P25$48,214
Median$50,893
P75$59,302
P90 (Top)$64,977

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Madison ($52,312 effective) pays 1.94% more than Caledonia ($51,319 effective).

Caledonia
Nominal: $47,932
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $51,319
Madison
Nominal: $50,893
CoL Index: 97.287
Adjusted: $52,312

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Caledonia if…

  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Madison if…

  • Higher median salary ($50,893/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($64,977)
  • Larger job market (620 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $52,312)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Caledonia grew 32.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 26.5% growth in Madison over the same period.

Caledonia, WI

+32.1%

$34,393 (2024) → $45,433 (2025)

Madison, WI

+26.5%

$38,120 (2019) → $48,240 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Caledonia or Madison?

Madison has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $50,893/year, compared to Caledonia at $47,932/year — a difference of $2,961 (6.18%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Caledonia and Madison?

Caledonia veterinary technologist and technicians earn $23.04/hr while Madison hygienists earn $24.47/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Caledonia to Madison as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Caledonia and Madison. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Caledonia = $51,319, Madison = $52,312), job availability (4 vs 620 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Caledonia vs Madison?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $35,368 in Caledonia and $41,514 in Madison. The Madison 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