Vet Tech salary

Cleveland vs Elyria: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

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

Cleveland, OH
$51,294
$24.67/hr
Elyria, OH
$48,531
$23.34/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleveland, OHElyria, OH
Median Salary$51,294$48,531
Hourly Rate$24.67$23.34
Entry Level (P10)$37,031$36,829
25th Percentile$47,886$39,681
75th Percentile$63,089$58,643
Top Earner (P90)$65,653$63,679
Total Employed82014
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleveland ($51,294) and Elyria ($48,531) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.ClevelandElyriaMedian Salary$51,294$48,531Entry Level (P10)$37,031$36,829Top Earner (P90)$65,653$63,679US Median $49,986

Verdict

Cleveland, OH offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Elyria.

The salary gap between Cleveland and Elyria is $2,763 (5.69%). Cleveland's median is +2.62% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cleveland spans $28,622,Elyria spans $26,850. Cleveland has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Cleveland
P10 (Entry)$37,031
P25$47,886
Median$51,294
P75$63,089
P90 (Top)$65,653
Elyria
P10 (Entry)$36,829
P25$39,681
Median$48,531
P75$58,643
P90 (Top)$63,679

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cleveland ($54,613 effective) pays 2.07% more than Elyria ($53,507 effective).

Cleveland
Nominal: $51,294
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $54,613
Elyria
Nominal: $48,531
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $53,507

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cleveland if…

  • Higher median salary ($51,294/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($65,653)
  • Larger job market (820 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $54,613)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Elyria if…

  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Cleveland grew 39.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 45.8% growth in Elyria over the same period.

Cleveland, OH

+39.4%

$34,880 (2019) → $48,620 (2025)

Elyria, OH

+45.8%

$31,548 (2024) → $46,001 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Cleveland or Elyria?

Cleveland has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $51,294/year, compared to Elyria at $48,531/year — a difference of $2,763 (5.69%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleveland and Elyria?

Cleveland veterinary technologist and technicians earn $24.67/hr while Elyria hygienists earn $23.34/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cleveland to Elyria as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleveland and Elyria. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleveland = $54,613, Elyria = $53,507), job availability (820 vs 14 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Cleveland vs Elyria?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $37,031 in Cleveland and $36,829 in Elyria. The Cleveland 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