Vet Tech salary

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

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

Cleveland, OH
$51,294
$24.67/hr
Hamilton, OH
$50,250
$24.16/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleveland, OHHamilton, OH
Median Salary$51,294$50,250
Hourly Rate$24.67$24.16
Entry Level (P10)$37,031$36,841
25th Percentile$47,886$40,154
75th Percentile$63,089$59,823
Top Earner (P90)$65,653$69,270
Total Employed82011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleveland ($51,294) and Hamilton ($50,250) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.ClevelandHamiltonMedian Salary$51,294$50,250Entry Level (P10)$37,031$36,841Top Earner (P90)$65,653$69,270US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Cleveland and Hamilton is $1,044 (2.08%). 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,Hamilton spans $32,429. Hamilton has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Cleveland
P10 (Entry)$37,031
P25$47,886
Median$51,294
P75$63,089
P90 (Top)$65,653
Hamilton
P10 (Entry)$36,841
P25$40,154
Median$50,250
P75$59,823
P90 (Top)$69,270

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Hamilton ($55,402 effective) pays 1.45% more than Cleveland ($54,613 effective).

Cleveland
Nominal: $51,294
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $54,613
Hamilton
Nominal: $50,250
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $55,402

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)
  • Larger job market (820 employed)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Hamilton if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($69,270)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $55,402)
  • 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 Hamilton over the same period.

Cleveland, OH

+39.4%

$34,880 (2019) → $48,620 (2025)

Hamilton, OH

+45.8%

$32,666 (2024) → $47,630 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Cleveland has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $51,294/year, compared to Hamilton at $50,250/year — a difference of $1,044 (2.08%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleveland and Hamilton?

Cleveland veterinary technologist and technicians earn $24.67/hr while Hamilton hygienists earn $24.16/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleveland and Hamilton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleveland = $54,613, Hamilton = $55,402), job availability (820 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $37,031 in Cleveland and $36,841 in Hamilton. 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