Vet Tech salary

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

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

Cleveland, OH
$51,294
$24.67/hr
Westerville, OH
$49,562
$23.83/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleveland, OHWesterville, OH
Median Salary$51,294$49,562
Hourly Rate$24.67$23.83
Entry Level (P10)$37,031$38,061
25th Percentile$47,886$40,619
75th Percentile$63,089$58,472
Top Earner (P90)$65,653$62,242
Total Employed8208
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleveland ($51,294) and Westerville ($49,562) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.ClevelandWestervilleMedian Salary$51,294$49,562Entry Level (P10)$37,031$38,061Top Earner (P90)$65,653$62,242US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Cleveland and Westerville is $1,732 (3.49%). 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,Westerville spans $24,181. 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
Westerville
P10 (Entry)$38,061
P25$40,619
Median$49,562
P75$58,472
P90 (Top)$62,242

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Westerville ($54,644 effective) pays 0.06% more than Cleveland ($54,613 effective).

Cleveland
Nominal: $51,294
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $54,613
Westerville
Nominal: $49,562
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $54,644

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)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Westerville if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $54,644)
  • 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 Westerville over the same period.

Cleveland, OH

+39.4%

$34,880 (2019) → $48,620 (2025)

Westerville, OH

+45.8%

$32,218 (2024) → $46,978 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Cleveland has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $51,294/year, compared to Westerville at $49,562/year — a difference of $1,732 (3.49%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleveland and Westerville?

Cleveland veterinary technologist and technicians earn $24.67/hr while Westerville hygienists earn $23.83/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleveland and Westerville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleveland = $54,613, Westerville = $54,644), job availability (820 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $37,031 in Cleveland and $38,061 in Westerville. The Westerville 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