Vet Tech salary

Chicago vs Mount Prospect: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

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

Chicago, IL
$50,450
$24.25/hr
Mount Prospect, IL
$49,405
$23.75/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricChicago, ILMount Prospect, IL
Median Salary$50,450$49,405
Hourly Rate$24.25$23.75
Entry Level (P10)$41,208$36,202
25th Percentile$48,446$39,427
75th Percentile$61,633$59,888
Top Earner (P90)$66,117$64,888
Total Employed3,25013
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Chicago ($50,450) and Mount Prospect ($49,405) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.ChicagoMount ProspectMedian Salary$50,450$49,405Entry Level (P10)$41,208$36,202Top Earner (P90)$66,117$64,888US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Chicago and Mount Prospect is $1,045 (2.12%). 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 Chicago spans $24,909,Mount Prospect spans $28,686. Mount Prospect has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Chicago
P10 (Entry)$41,208
P25$48,446
Median$50,450
P75$61,633
P90 (Top)$66,117
Mount Prospect
P10 (Entry)$36,202
P25$39,427
Median$49,405
P75$59,888
P90 (Top)$64,888

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Mount Prospect ($50,881 effective) pays 4.48% more than Chicago ($48,699 effective).

Chicago
Nominal: $50,450
CoL Index: 103.595
Adjusted: $48,699
Mount Prospect
Nominal: $49,405
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $50,881

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose Mount Prospect if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $50,881)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Chicago grew 32.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 20.6% growth in Mount Prospect over the same period.

Chicago, IL

+32.0%

$36,240 (2019) → $47,820 (2025)

Mount Prospect, IL

+20.6%

$38,822 (2024) → $46,829 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Chicago has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $50,450/year, compared to Mount Prospect at $49,405/year — a difference of $1,045 (2.12%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Chicago and Mount Prospect?

Chicago veterinary technologist and technicians earn $24.25/hr while Mount Prospect hygienists earn $23.75/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Chicago and Mount Prospect. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Chicago = $48,699, Mount Prospect = $50,881), job availability (3,250 vs 13 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $41,208 in Chicago and $36,202 in Mount Prospect. 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