Vet Tech salary

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

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

Cleveland, OH
$51,294
$24.67/hr
Kettering, OH
$49,551
$23.82/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleveland, OHKettering, OH
Median Salary$51,294$49,551
Hourly Rate$24.67$23.82
Entry Level (P10)$37,031$38,237
25th Percentile$47,886$41,143
75th Percentile$63,089$61,588
Top Earner (P90)$65,653$67,871
Total Employed82010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleveland ($51,294) and Kettering ($49,551) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.ClevelandKetteringMedian Salary$51,294$49,551Entry Level (P10)$37,031$38,237Top Earner (P90)$65,653$67,871US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Cleveland and Kettering is $1,743 (3.52%). 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,Kettering spans $29,634. Kettering 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
Kettering
P10 (Entry)$38,237
P25$41,143
Median$49,551
P75$61,588
P90 (Top)$67,871

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Kettering ($54,632 effective) pays 0.03% more than Cleveland ($54,613 effective).

Cleveland
Nominal: $51,294
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $54,613
Kettering
Nominal: $49,551
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $54,632

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 Kettering if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($67,871)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $54,632)
  • 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 47.3% growth in Kettering over the same period.

Cleveland, OH

+39.4%

$34,880 (2019) → $48,620 (2025)

Kettering, OH

+47.3%

$31,890 (2024) → $46,968 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Cleveland has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $51,294/year, compared to Kettering at $49,551/year — a difference of $1,743 (3.52%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleveland and Kettering?

Cleveland veterinary technologist and technicians earn $24.67/hr while Kettering hygienists earn $23.82/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleveland and Kettering. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleveland = $54,613, Kettering = $54,632), job availability (820 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $37,031 in Cleveland and $38,237 in Kettering. The Kettering 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