Vet Tech salary

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

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

Cleveland, OH
$51,294
$24.67/hr
Fairfield, OH
$48,240
$23.19/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleveland, OHFairfield, OH
Median Salary$51,294$48,240
Hourly Rate$24.67$23.19
Entry Level (P10)$37,031$38,817
25th Percentile$47,886$40,880
75th Percentile$63,089$56,444
Top Earner (P90)$65,653$64,310
Total Employed8209
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleveland ($51,294) and Fairfield ($48,240) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.ClevelandFairfieldMedian Salary$51,294$48,240Entry Level (P10)$37,031$38,817Top Earner (P90)$65,653$64,310US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Cleveland and Fairfield is $3,054 (6.33%). 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,Fairfield spans $25,493. 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
Fairfield
P10 (Entry)$38,817
P25$40,880
Median$48,240
P75$56,444
P90 (Top)$64,310

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cleveland ($54,613 effective) pays 2.68% more than Fairfield ($53,186 effective).

Cleveland
Nominal: $51,294
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $54,613
Fairfield
Nominal: $48,240
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $53,186

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 Fairfield 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 Fairfield over the same period.

Cleveland, OH

+39.4%

$34,880 (2019) → $48,620 (2025)

Fairfield, OH

+45.8%

$31,360 (2024) → $45,725 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Cleveland has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $51,294/year, compared to Fairfield at $48,240/year — a difference of $3,054 (6.33%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleveland and Fairfield?

Cleveland veterinary technologist and technicians earn $24.67/hr while Fairfield hygienists earn $23.19/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleveland and Fairfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleveland = $54,613, Fairfield = $53,186), job availability (820 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $37,031 in Cleveland and $38,817 in Fairfield. The Fairfield 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