Vet Tech salary

Cleveland vs Shaker Heights: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

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

Cleveland, OH
$51,294
$24.67/hr
Shaker Heights, OH
$48,432
$23.28/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleveland, OHShaker Heights, OH
Median Salary$51,294$48,432
Hourly Rate$24.67$23.28
Entry Level (P10)$37,031$39,286
25th Percentile$47,886$41,278
75th Percentile$63,089$56,888
Top Earner (P90)$65,653$63,216
Total Employed8207
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleveland ($51,294) and Shaker Heights ($48,432) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.ClevelandShaker HeightsMedian Salary$51,294$48,432Entry Level (P10)$37,031$39,286Top Earner (P90)$65,653$63,216US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Cleveland and Shaker Heights is $2,862 (5.91%). 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,Shaker Heights spans $23,930. 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
Shaker Heights
P10 (Entry)$39,286
P25$41,278
Median$48,432
P75$56,888
P90 (Top)$63,216

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cleveland ($54,613 effective) pays 2.28% more than Shaker Heights ($53,398 effective).

Cleveland
Nominal: $51,294
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $54,613
Shaker Heights
Nominal: $48,432
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $53,398

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 Shaker Heights 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 Shaker Heights over the same period.

Cleveland, OH

+39.4%

$34,880 (2019) → $48,620 (2025)

Shaker Heights, OH

+45.8%

$31,484 (2024) → $45,907 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Cleveland has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $51,294/year, compared to Shaker Heights at $48,432/year — a difference of $2,862 (5.91%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleveland and Shaker Heights?

Cleveland veterinary technologist and technicians earn $24.67/hr while Shaker Heights hygienists earn $23.28/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleveland and Shaker Heights. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleveland = $54,613, Shaker Heights = $53,398), job availability (820 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $37,031 in Cleveland and $39,286 in Shaker Heights. The Shaker Heights 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