Vet Tech salary

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

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

Cleveland, OH
$51,294
$24.67/hr
Lorain, OH
$50,771
$24.41/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleveland, OHLorain, OH
Median Salary$51,294$50,771
Hourly Rate$24.67$24.41
Entry Level (P10)$37,031$36,593
25th Percentile$47,886$43,144
75th Percentile$63,089$61,087
Top Earner (P90)$65,653$65,984
Total Employed82012
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleveland ($51,294) and Lorain ($50,771) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.ClevelandLorainMedian Salary$51,294$50,771Entry Level (P10)$37,031$36,593Top Earner (P90)$65,653$65,984US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Cleveland and Lorain is $523 (1.03%). 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,Lorain spans $29,391. Lorain 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
Lorain
P10 (Entry)$36,593
P25$43,144
Median$50,771
P75$61,087
P90 (Top)$65,984

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lorain ($55,977 effective) pays 2.50% more than Cleveland ($54,613 effective).

Cleveland
Nominal: $51,294
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $54,613
Lorain
Nominal: $50,771
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $55,977

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 Lorain if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($65,984)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $55,977)
  • 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 Lorain over the same period.

Cleveland, OH

+39.4%

$34,880 (2019) → $48,620 (2025)

Lorain, OH

+45.8%

$33,004 (2024) → $48,124 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Cleveland has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $51,294/year, compared to Lorain at $50,771/year — a difference of $523 (1.03%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleveland and Lorain?

Cleveland veterinary technologist and technicians earn $24.67/hr while Lorain hygienists earn $24.41/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleveland and Lorain. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleveland = $54,613, Lorain = $55,977), job availability (820 vs 12 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $37,031 in Cleveland and $36,593 in Lorain. 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