Vet Tech salary

Columbus vs Zanesville: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

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

Columbus, OH
$51,969
$24.99/hr
Zanesville, OH
$49,889
$23.98/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricColumbus, OHZanesville, OH
Median Salary$51,969$49,889
Hourly Rate$24.99$23.98
Entry Level (P10)$37,252$38,866
25th Percentile$49,174$41,295
75th Percentile$61,507$59,254
Top Earner (P90)$67,837$63,302
Total Employed1,0505
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Columbus ($51,969) and Zanesville ($49,889) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.ColumbusZanesvilleMedian Salary$51,969$49,889Entry Level (P10)$37,252$38,866Top Earner (P90)$67,837$63,302US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Columbus and Zanesville is $2,080 (4.17%). Columbus's median is +3.97% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Columbus spans $30,585,Zanesville spans $24,436. Columbus has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Columbus
P10 (Entry)$37,252
P25$49,174
Median$51,969
P75$61,507
P90 (Top)$67,837
Zanesville
P10 (Entry)$38,866
P25$41,295
Median$49,889
P75$59,254
P90 (Top)$63,302

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Zanesville ($55,004 effective) pays 1.05% more than Columbus ($54,435 effective).

Columbus
Nominal: $51,969
CoL Index: 95.469
Adjusted: $54,435
Zanesville
Nominal: $49,889
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $55,004

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Columbus if…

  • Higher median salary ($51,969/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($67,837)
  • Larger job market (1,050 employed)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Zanesville if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $55,004)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Columbus grew 43.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 45.8% growth in Zanesville over the same period.

Columbus, OH

+43.7%

$34,290 (2019) → $49,260 (2025)

Zanesville, OH

+45.8%

$32,431 (2024) → $47,288 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Columbus or Zanesville?

Columbus has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $51,969/year, compared to Zanesville at $49,889/year — a difference of $2,080 (4.17%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Columbus and Zanesville?

Columbus veterinary technologist and technicians earn $24.99/hr while Zanesville hygienists earn $23.98/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Columbus to Zanesville as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Columbus and Zanesville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Columbus = $54,435, Zanesville = $55,004), job availability (1,050 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Columbus vs Zanesville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $37,252 in Columbus and $38,866 in Zanesville. The Zanesville 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