Vet Tech salary

Champaign vs Collinsville: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

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

Champaign, IL
$56,031
$26.94/hr
Collinsville, IL
$48,334
$23.24/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricChampaign, ILCollinsville, IL
Median Salary$56,031$48,334
Hourly Rate$26.94$23.24
Entry Level (P10)$44,205$36,391
25th Percentile$48,920$39,075
75th Percentile$61,570$57,545
Top Earner (P90)$68,005$61,554
Total Employed2605
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Champaign ($56,031) and Collinsville ($48,334) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.ChampaignCollinsvilleMedian Salary$56,031$48,334Entry Level (P10)$44,205$36,391Top Earner (P90)$68,005$61,554US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Champaign and Collinsville is $7,697 (15.92%). 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 Champaign spans $23,800,Collinsville spans $25,163. Collinsville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Champaign
P10 (Entry)$44,205
P25$48,920
Median$56,031
P75$61,570
P90 (Top)$68,005
Collinsville
P10 (Entry)$36,391
P25$39,075
Median$48,334
P75$57,545
P90 (Top)$61,554

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Champaign ($60,441 effective) pays 21.42% more than Collinsville ($49,778 effective).

Champaign
Nominal: $56,031
CoL Index: 92.704
Adjusted: $60,441
Collinsville
Nominal: $48,334
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $49,778

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose Collinsville if…

  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Champaign grew 43.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 20.6% growth in Collinsville over the same period.

Champaign, IL

+43.2%

$37,090 (2019) → $53,110 (2025)

Collinsville, IL

+20.6%

$37,981 (2024) → $45,814 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Champaign or Collinsville?

Champaign has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $56,031/year, compared to Collinsville at $48,334/year — a difference of $7,697 (15.92%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Champaign and Collinsville?

Champaign veterinary technologist and technicians earn $26.94/hr while Collinsville hygienists earn $23.24/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Champaign and Collinsville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Champaign = $60,441, Collinsville = $49,778), job availability (260 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $44,205 in Champaign and $36,391 in Collinsville. 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