Vet Tech salary

Carbondale vs Peoria: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

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

Carbondale, IL
$46,296
$22.26/hr
Peoria, IL
$46,568
$22.39/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCarbondale, ILPeoria, IL
Median Salary$46,296$46,568
Hourly Rate$22.26$22.39
Entry Level (P10)$38,939$39,900
25th Percentile$40,225$40,491
75th Percentile$55,375$48,709
Top Earner (P90)$58,771$54,744
Total Employed5110
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Carbondale ($46,296) and Peoria ($46,568) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.CarbondalePeoriaMedian Salary$46,296$46,568Entry Level (P10)$38,939$39,900Top Earner (P90)$58,771$54,744US Median $49,986

Verdict

Peoria, IL offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Carbondale.

The salary gap between Carbondale and Peoria is $272 (0.59%). Peoria's median is -6.84% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Carbondale spans $19,832,Peoria spans $14,844. Carbondale has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Carbondale
P10 (Entry)$38,939
P25$40,225
Median$46,296
P75$55,375
P90 (Top)$58,771
Peoria
P10 (Entry)$39,900
P25$40,491
Median$46,568
P75$48,709
P90 (Top)$54,744

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Peoria ($51,044 effective) pays 7.06% more than Carbondale ($47,679 effective).

Carbondale
Nominal: $46,296
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $47,679
Peoria
Nominal: $46,568
CoL Index: 91.231
Adjusted: $51,044

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Carbondale if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($58,771)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Peoria if…

  • Higher median salary ($46,568/year)
  • Larger job market (110 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $51,044)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Carbondale grew 39.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 37.6% growth in Peoria over the same period.

Carbondale, IL

+39.4%

$31,470 (2019) → $43,882 (2025)

Peoria, IL

+37.6%

$32,090 (2019) → $44,140 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Carbondale or Peoria?

Peoria has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $46,568/year, compared to Carbondale at $46,296/year — a difference of $272 (0.59%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Carbondale and Peoria?

Carbondale veterinary technologist and technicians earn $22.26/hr while Peoria hygienists earn $22.39/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Carbondale to Peoria as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Carbondale and Peoria. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Carbondale = $47,679, Peoria = $51,044), job availability (5 vs 110 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Carbondale vs Peoria?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $38,939 in Carbondale and $39,900 in Peoria. The Peoria 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