Vet Tech salary

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

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

Chicago, IL
$50,450
$24.25/hr
Romeoville, IL
$47,309
$22.75/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricChicago, ILRomeoville, IL
Median Salary$50,450$47,309
Hourly Rate$24.25$22.75
Entry Level (P10)$41,208$37,856
25th Percentile$48,446$39,898
75th Percentile$61,633$56,907
Top Earner (P90)$66,117$61,205
Total Employed3,2507
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Chicago ($50,450) and Romeoville ($47,309) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.ChicagoRomeovilleMedian Salary$50,450$47,309Entry Level (P10)$41,208$37,856Top Earner (P90)$66,117$61,205US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Chicago and Romeoville is $3,141 (6.64%). 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,Romeoville spans $23,349. Chicago has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Chicago
P10 (Entry)$41,208
P25$48,446
Median$50,450
P75$61,633
P90 (Top)$66,117
Romeoville
P10 (Entry)$37,856
P25$39,898
Median$47,309
P75$56,907
P90 (Top)$61,205

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Romeoville ($48,722 effective) pays 0.05% more than Chicago ($48,699 effective).

Chicago
Nominal: $50,450
CoL Index: 103.595
Adjusted: $48,699
Romeoville
Nominal: $47,309
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $48,722

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 Romeoville if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $48,722)
  • 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 Romeoville over the same period.

Chicago, IL

+32.0%

$36,240 (2019) → $47,820 (2025)

Romeoville, IL

+20.6%

$37,176 (2024) → $44,843 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Chicago has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $50,450/year, compared to Romeoville at $47,309/year — a difference of $3,141 (6.64%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Chicago and Romeoville?

Chicago veterinary technologist and technicians earn $24.25/hr while Romeoville hygienists earn $22.75/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Chicago and Romeoville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Chicago = $48,699, Romeoville = $48,722), job availability (3,250 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $41,208 in Chicago and $37,856 in Romeoville. 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