Vet Tech salary

Cleveland vs Upper Arlington: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

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

Cleveland, OH
$51,294
$24.67/hr
Upper Arlington, OH
$47,602
$22.88/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleveland, OHUpper Arlington, OH
Median Salary$51,294$47,602
Hourly Rate$24.67$22.88
Entry Level (P10)$37,031$37,272
25th Percentile$47,886$39,578
75th Percentile$63,089$57,771
Top Earner (P90)$65,653$60,563
Total Employed8209
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleveland ($51,294) and Upper Arlington ($47,602) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.ClevelandUpper ArlingtonMedian Salary$51,294$47,602Entry Level (P10)$37,031$37,272Top Earner (P90)$65,653$60,563US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Cleveland and Upper Arlington is $3,692 (7.76%). 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,Upper Arlington spans $23,291. 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
Upper Arlington
P10 (Entry)$37,272
P25$39,578
Median$47,602
P75$57,771
P90 (Top)$60,563

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cleveland ($54,613 effective) pays 4.06% more than Upper Arlington ($52,483 effective).

Cleveland
Nominal: $51,294
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $54,613
Upper Arlington
Nominal: $47,602
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $52,483

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 Upper Arlington 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 Upper Arlington over the same period.

Cleveland, OH

+39.4%

$34,880 (2019) → $48,620 (2025)

Upper Arlington, OH

+45.8%

$30,944 (2024) → $45,120 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Cleveland has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $51,294/year, compared to Upper Arlington at $47,602/year — a difference of $3,692 (7.76%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleveland and Upper Arlington?

Cleveland veterinary technologist and technicians earn $24.67/hr while Upper Arlington hygienists earn $22.88/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleveland and Upper Arlington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleveland = $54,613, Upper Arlington = $52,483), job availability (820 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $37,031 in Cleveland and $37,272 in Upper Arlington. The Upper Arlington 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