Vet Tech salary

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

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

Coeur d'Alene, ID
$47,201
$22.69/hr
Lewiston, ID
$39,162
$18.83/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCoeur d'Alene, IDLewiston, ID
Median Salary$47,201$39,162
Hourly Rate$22.69$18.83
Entry Level (P10)$38,982$31,635
25th Percentile$40,333$33,248
75th Percentile$50,408$47,321
Top Earner (P90)$66,402$51,016
Total Employed708
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Coeur d'Alene ($47,201) and Lewiston ($39,162) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.Coeur d'AleneLewistonMedian Salary$47,201$39,162Entry Level (P10)$38,982$31,635Top Earner (P90)$66,402$51,016US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Coeur d'Alene and Lewiston is $8,039 (20.53%). 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,Lewiston spans $19,381. 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
Lewiston
P10 (Entry)$31,635
P25$33,248
Median$39,162
P75$47,321
P90 (Top)$51,016

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Coeur d'Alene ($48,021 effective) pays 16.86% more than Lewiston ($41,093 effective).

Coeur d'Alene
Nominal: $47,201
CoL Index: 98.293
Adjusted: $48,021
Lewiston
Nominal: $39,162
CoL Index: 95.3
Adjusted: $41,093

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)
  • Larger job market (70 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $48,021)
  • You prefer the Idaho area and lifestyle

Choose Lewiston 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 3.7% growth in Lewiston over the same period.

Coeur d'Alene, ID

+56.5%

$28,590 (2019) → $44,740 (2025)

Lewiston, ID

+3.7%

$35,780 (2024) → $37,120 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Coeur d'Alene has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $47,201/year, compared to Lewiston at $39,162/year — a difference of $8,039 (20.53%).

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

Coeur d'Alene veterinary technologist and technicians earn $22.69/hr while Lewiston hygienists earn $18.83/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Coeur d'Alene and Lewiston. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Coeur d'Alene = $48,021, Lewiston = $41,093), job availability (70 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $38,982 in Coeur d'Alene and $31,635 in Lewiston. 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