Vet Tech salary

Calumet City vs Champaign: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

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

Calumet City, IL
$46,872
$22.53/hr
Champaign, IL
$56,031
$26.94/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCalumet City, ILChampaign, IL
Median Salary$46,872$56,031
Hourly Rate$22.53$26.94
Entry Level (P10)$36,799$44,205
25th Percentile$39,008$48,920
75th Percentile$55,946$61,570
Top Earner (P90)$59,692$68,005
Total Employed7260
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Calumet City ($46,872) and Champaign ($56,031) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.Calumet CityChampaignMedian Salary$46,872$56,031Entry Level (P10)$36,799$44,205Top Earner (P90)$59,692$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 Calumet City.

The salary gap between Calumet City and Champaign is $9,159 (19.54%). 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 Calumet City spans $22,893,Champaign spans $23,800. Champaign has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Calumet City
P10 (Entry)$36,799
P25$39,008
Median$46,872
P75$55,946
P90 (Top)$59,692
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 25.21% more than Calumet City ($48,272 effective).

Calumet City
Nominal: $46,872
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $48,272
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 Calumet City 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 Calumet City grew 20.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 43.2% growth in Champaign over the same period.

Calumet City, IL

+20.6%

$36,832 (2024) → $44,428 (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: Calumet City or Champaign?

Champaign has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $56,031/year, compared to Calumet City at $46,872/year — a difference of $9,159 (19.54%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Calumet City and Champaign?

Calumet City veterinary technologist and technicians earn $22.53/hr while Champaign hygienists earn $26.94/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Calumet City and Champaign. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Calumet City = $48,272, Champaign = $60,441), job availability (7 vs 260 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $36,799 in Calumet City 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