Vet Tech salary

Davenport vs Marion: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Davenport, IA and Marion, IA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Davenport, IA
$47,623
$22.89/hr
Marion, IA
$46,864
$22.53/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDavenport, IAMarion, IA
Median Salary$47,623$46,864
Hourly Rate$22.89$22.53
Entry Level (P10)$39,341$35,668
25th Percentile$39,890$38,207
75th Percentile$50,281$56,123
Top Earner (P90)$50,756$60,046
Total Employed1206
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Davenport ($47,623) and Marion ($46,864) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.DavenportMarionMedian Salary$47,623$46,864Entry Level (P10)$39,341$35,668Top Earner (P90)$50,756$60,046US Median $49,986

Verdict

Davenport, IA offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Marion.

The salary gap between Davenport and Marion is $759 (1.62%). Davenport's median is -4.73% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Davenport spans $11,415,Marion spans $24,378. Marion has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Davenport
P10 (Entry)$39,341
P25$39,890
Median$47,623
P75$50,281
P90 (Top)$50,756
Marion
P10 (Entry)$35,668
P25$38,207
Median$46,864
P75$56,123
P90 (Top)$60,046

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Davenport ($53,462 effective) pays 3.13% more than Marion ($51,841 effective).

Davenport
Nominal: $47,623
CoL Index: 89.079
Adjusted: $53,462
Marion
Nominal: $46,864
CoL Index: 90.4
Adjusted: $51,841

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Davenport if…

  • Higher median salary ($47,623/year)
  • Larger job market (120 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $53,462)
  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Choose Marion if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($60,046)
  • You prefer the Iowa area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Davenport grew 37.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 38.8% growth in Marion over the same period.

Davenport, IA

+37.9%

$32,730 (2019) → $45,140 (2025)

Marion, IA

+38.8%

$32,001 (2024) → $44,421 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Davenport or Marion?

Davenport has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $47,623/year, compared to Marion at $46,864/year — a difference of $759 (1.62%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Davenport and Marion?

Davenport veterinary technologist and technicians earn $22.89/hr while Marion hygienists earn $22.53/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Davenport to Marion as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Davenport and Marion. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Davenport = $53,462, Marion = $51,841), job availability (120 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Davenport vs Marion?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $39,341 in Davenport and $35,668 in Marion. The Davenport 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