Vet Tech salary

Coeur d'Alene vs Idaho Falls: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Coeur d'Alene, ID and Idaho Falls, ID. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Coeur d'Alene, ID
$47,201
$22.69/hr
Idaho Falls, ID
$40,723
$19.58/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCoeur d'Alene, IDIdaho Falls, ID
Median Salary$47,201$40,723
Hourly Rate$22.69$19.58
Entry Level (P10)$38,982$30,658
25th Percentile$40,333$39,151
75th Percentile$50,408$46,019
Top Earner (P90)$66,402$50,091
Total Employed7070
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Coeur d'Alene ($47,201) and Idaho Falls ($40,723) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.Coeur d'AleneIdaho FallsMedian Salary$47,201$40,723Entry Level (P10)$38,982$30,658Top Earner (P90)$66,402$50,091US Median $49,986

Verdict

Coeur d'Alene, ID offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Idaho Falls.

The salary gap between Coeur d'Alene and Idaho Falls is $6,478 (15.91%). Coeur d'Alene's median is -5.57% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Coeur d'Alene spans $27,420,Idaho Falls spans $19,433. Coeur d'Alene has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Coeur d'Alene
P10 (Entry)$38,982
P25$40,333
Median$47,201
P75$50,408
P90 (Top)$66,402
Idaho Falls
P10 (Entry)$30,658
P25$39,151
Median$40,723
P75$46,019
P90 (Top)$50,091

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Coeur d'Alene ($48,021 effective) pays 11.33% more than Idaho Falls ($43,133 effective).

Coeur d'Alene
Nominal: $47,201
CoL Index: 98.293
Adjusted: $48,021
Idaho Falls
Nominal: $40,723
CoL Index: 94.412
Adjusted: $43,133

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Coeur d'Alene if…

  • Higher median salary ($47,201/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($66,402)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $48,021)
  • You prefer the Idaho area and lifestyle

Choose Idaho Falls if…

  • You prefer the Idaho area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Coeur d'Alene grew 56.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 30.2% growth in Idaho Falls over the same period.

Coeur d'Alene, ID

+56.5%

$28,590 (2019) → $44,740 (2025)

Idaho Falls, ID

+30.2%

$29,650 (2021) → $38,600 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Coeur d'Alene or Idaho Falls?

Coeur d'Alene has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $47,201/year, compared to Idaho Falls at $40,723/year — a difference of $6,478 (15.91%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Coeur d'Alene and Idaho Falls?

Coeur d'Alene veterinary technologist and technicians earn $22.69/hr while Idaho Falls hygienists earn $19.58/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Coeur d'Alene to Idaho Falls as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Coeur d'Alene and Idaho Falls. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Coeur d'Alene = $48,021, Idaho Falls = $43,133), job availability (70 vs 70 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Coeur d'Alene vs Idaho Falls?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $38,982 in Coeur d'Alene and $30,658 in Idaho Falls. The Coeur d'Alene area offers higher starting salaries.
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