Vet Tech salary

Cedar Rapids vs Davenport: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Cedar Rapids, IA and Davenport, IA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Cedar Rapids, IA
$47,106
$22.65/hr
Davenport, IA
$47,623
$22.89/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCedar Rapids, IADavenport, IA
Median Salary$47,106$47,623
Hourly Rate$22.65$22.89
Entry Level (P10)$39,046$39,341
25th Percentile$40,143$39,890
75th Percentile$50,376$50,281
Top Earner (P90)$50,714$50,756
Total Employed110120
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cedar Rapids ($47,106) and Davenport ($47,623) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.Cedar RapidsDavenportMedian Salary$47,106$47,623Entry Level (P10)$39,046$39,341Top Earner (P90)$50,714$50,756US Median $49,986

Verdict

Davenport, IA offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Cedar Rapids.

The salary gap between Cedar Rapids and Davenport is $517 (1.10%). Davenport's median is -4.73% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cedar Rapids spans $11,668,Davenport spans $11,415. Cedar Rapids has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Cedar Rapids
P10 (Entry)$39,046
P25$40,143
Median$47,106
P75$50,376
P90 (Top)$50,714
Davenport
P10 (Entry)$39,341
P25$39,890
Median$47,623
P75$50,281
P90 (Top)$50,756

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Davenport ($53,462 effective) pays 0.97% more than Cedar Rapids ($52,950 effective).

Cedar Rapids
Nominal: $47,106
CoL Index: 88.963
Adjusted: $52,950
Davenport
Nominal: $47,623
CoL Index: 89.079
Adjusted: $53,462

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cedar Rapids if…

  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Choose Davenport if…

  • Higher median salary ($47,623/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($50,756)
  • Larger job market (120 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $53,462)
  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Cedar Rapids grew 26.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 37.9% growth in Davenport over the same period.

Cedar Rapids, IA

+26.8%

$35,220 (2019) → $44,650 (2025)

Davenport, IA

+37.9%

$32,730 (2019) → $45,140 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Cedar Rapids or Davenport?

Davenport has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $47,623/year, compared to Cedar Rapids at $47,106/year — a difference of $517 (1.10%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cedar Rapids and Davenport?

Cedar Rapids veterinary technologist and technicians earn $22.65/hr while Davenport hygienists earn $22.89/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cedar Rapids to Davenport as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cedar Rapids and Davenport. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cedar Rapids = $52,950, Davenport = $53,462), job availability (110 vs 120 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Cedar Rapids vs Davenport?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $39,046 in Cedar Rapids and $39,341 in Davenport. The Davenport area offers higher starting salaries.
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