Vet Tech salary

Duluth vs Inver Grove Heights: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Duluth, MN and Inver Grove Heights, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Duluth, MN
$50,925
$24.49/hr
Inver Grove Heights, MN
$50,127
$24.10/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDuluth, MNInver Grove Heights, MN
Median Salary$50,925$50,127
Hourly Rate$24.49$24.10
Entry Level (P10)$39,499$37,947
25th Percentile$45,871$40,677
75th Percentile$58,869$58,747
Top Earner (P90)$61,011$67,168
Total Employed14010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Duluth ($50,925) and Inver Grove Heights ($50,127) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.DuluthInver Grove HeightsMedian Salary$50,925$50,127Entry Level (P10)$39,499$37,947Top Earner (P90)$61,011$67,168US Median $49,986

Verdict

Duluth, MN offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Inver Grove Heights.

The salary gap between Duluth and Inver Grove Heights is $798 (1.59%). Duluth's median is +1.88% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Duluth spans $21,512,Inver Grove Heights spans $29,221. Inver Grove Heights has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Duluth
P10 (Entry)$39,499
P25$45,871
Median$50,925
P75$58,869
P90 (Top)$61,011
Inver Grove Heights
P10 (Entry)$37,947
P25$40,677
Median$50,127
P75$58,747
P90 (Top)$67,168

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Duluth ($57,369 effective) pays 12.73% more than Inver Grove Heights ($50,890 effective).

Duluth
Nominal: $50,925
CoL Index: 88.768
Adjusted: $57,369
Inver Grove Heights
Nominal: $50,127
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $50,890

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Duluth if…

  • Higher median salary ($50,925/year)
  • Larger job market (140 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $57,369)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose Inver Grove Heights if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($67,168)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Duluth grew 34.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 17.2% growth in Inver Grove Heights over the same period.

Duluth, MN

+34.9%

$35,770 (2019) → $48,270 (2025)

Inver Grove Heights, MN

+17.2%

$40,554 (2024) → $47,514 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Duluth or Inver Grove Heights?

Duluth has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $50,925/year, compared to Inver Grove Heights at $50,127/year — a difference of $798 (1.59%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Duluth and Inver Grove Heights?

Duluth veterinary technologist and technicians earn $24.49/hr while Inver Grove Heights hygienists earn $24.10/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Duluth to Inver Grove Heights as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Duluth and Inver Grove Heights. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Duluth = $57,369, Inver Grove Heights = $50,890), job availability (140 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Duluth vs Inver Grove Heights?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $39,499 in Duluth and $37,947 in Inver Grove Heights. The Duluth 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