Vet Tech salary

Carpentersville vs Chicago: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

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

Carpentersville, IL
$48,196
$23.17/hr
Chicago, IL
$50,450
$24.25/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCarpentersville, ILChicago, IL
Median Salary$48,196$50,450
Hourly Rate$23.17$24.25
Entry Level (P10)$38,583$41,208
25th Percentile$40,660$48,446
75th Percentile$59,025$61,633
Top Earner (P90)$64,079$66,117
Total Employed83,250
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Carpentersville ($48,196) and Chicago ($50,450) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.CarpentersvilleChicagoMedian Salary$48,196$50,450Entry Level (P10)$38,583$41,208Top Earner (P90)$64,079$66,117US Median $49,986

Verdict

Chicago, IL offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Carpentersville.

The salary gap between Carpentersville and Chicago is $2,254 (4.68%). Chicago's median is +0.93% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Carpentersville spans $25,496,Chicago spans $24,909. Carpentersville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Carpentersville
P10 (Entry)$38,583
P25$40,660
Median$48,196
P75$59,025
P90 (Top)$64,079
Chicago
P10 (Entry)$41,208
P25$48,446
Median$50,450
P75$61,633
P90 (Top)$66,117

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Carpentersville ($49,635 effective) pays 1.92% more than Chicago ($48,699 effective).

Carpentersville
Nominal: $48,196
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $49,635
Chicago
Nominal: $50,450
CoL Index: 103.595
Adjusted: $48,699

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Carpentersville if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $49,635)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Chicago if…

  • Higher median salary ($50,450/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($66,117)
  • Larger job market (3,250 employed)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Carpentersville grew 20.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 32.0% growth in Chicago over the same period.

Carpentersville, IL

+20.6%

$37,872 (2024) → $45,683 (2025)

Chicago, IL

+32.0%

$36,240 (2019) → $47,820 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Carpentersville or Chicago?

Chicago has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $50,450/year, compared to Carpentersville at $48,196/year — a difference of $2,254 (4.68%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Carpentersville and Chicago?

Carpentersville veterinary technologist and technicians earn $23.17/hr while Chicago hygienists earn $24.25/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Carpentersville to Chicago as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Carpentersville and Chicago. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Carpentersville = $49,635, Chicago = $48,699), job availability (8 vs 3,250 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Carpentersville vs Chicago?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $38,583 in Carpentersville and $41,208 in Chicago. The Chicago 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