Vet Tech salary

Cincinnati vs Lakewood: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Cincinnati, OH and Lakewood, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Cincinnati, OH
$51,041
$24.54/hr
Lakewood, OH
$49,975
$24.02/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCincinnati, OHLakewood, OH
Median Salary$51,041$49,975
Hourly Rate$24.54$24.02
Entry Level (P10)$37,273$36,249
25th Percentile$44,321$39,605
75th Percentile$57,614$60,225
Top Earner (P90)$64,840$68,476
Total Employed1,04011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cincinnati ($51,041) and Lakewood ($49,975) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.CincinnatiLakewoodMedian Salary$51,041$49,975Entry Level (P10)$37,273$36,249Top Earner (P90)$64,840$68,476US Median $49,986

Verdict

Cincinnati, OH offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Lakewood.

The salary gap between Cincinnati and Lakewood is $1,066 (2.13%). Cincinnati's median is +2.11% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cincinnati spans $27,567,Lakewood spans $32,227. Lakewood has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Cincinnati
P10 (Entry)$37,273
P25$44,321
Median$51,041
P75$57,614
P90 (Top)$64,840
Lakewood
P10 (Entry)$36,249
P25$39,605
Median$49,975
P75$60,225
P90 (Top)$68,476

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lakewood ($55,099 effective) pays 2.95% more than Cincinnati ($53,519 effective).

Cincinnati
Nominal: $51,041
CoL Index: 95.37
Adjusted: $53,519
Lakewood
Nominal: $49,975
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $55,099

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cincinnati if…

  • Higher median salary ($51,041/year)
  • Larger job market (1,040 employed)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Lakewood if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($68,476)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $55,099)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Cincinnati grew 29.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 45.8% growth in Lakewood over the same period.

Cincinnati, OH

+29.4%

$37,390 (2019) → $48,380 (2025)

Lakewood, OH

+45.8%

$32,487 (2024) → $47,370 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Cincinnati or Lakewood?

Cincinnati has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $51,041/year, compared to Lakewood at $49,975/year — a difference of $1,066 (2.13%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cincinnati and Lakewood?

Cincinnati veterinary technologist and technicians earn $24.54/hr while Lakewood hygienists earn $24.02/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cincinnati to Lakewood as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cincinnati and Lakewood. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cincinnati = $53,519, Lakewood = $55,099), job availability (1,040 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Cincinnati vs Lakewood?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $37,273 in Cincinnati and $36,249 in Lakewood. The Cincinnati 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