Vet Tech salary

Duluth vs St. Cloud: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

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

Duluth, MN
$50,925
$24.49/hr
St. Cloud, MN
$49,996
$24.04/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDuluth, MNSt. Cloud, MN
Median Salary$50,925$49,996
Hourly Rate$24.49$24.04
Entry Level (P10)$39,499$38,149
25th Percentile$45,871$45,418
75th Percentile$58,869$54,143
Top Earner (P90)$61,011$60,135
Total Employed140100
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Duluth ($50,925) and St. Cloud ($49,996) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.DuluthSt. CloudMedian Salary$50,925$49,996Entry Level (P10)$39,499$38,149Top Earner (P90)$61,011$60,135US Median $49,986

Verdict

Duluth, MN offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to St. Cloud.

The salary gap between Duluth and St. Cloud is $929 (1.86%). 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,St. Cloud spans $21,986. St. Cloud 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
St. Cloud
P10 (Entry)$38,149
P25$45,418
Median$49,996
P75$54,143
P90 (Top)$60,135

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Duluth ($57,369 effective) pays 0.55% more than St. Cloud ($57,052 effective).

Duluth
Nominal: $50,925
CoL Index: 88.768
Adjusted: $57,369
St. Cloud
Nominal: $49,996
CoL Index: 87.632
Adjusted: $57,052

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)
  • Better top-earner potential ($61,011)
  • Larger job market (140 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $57,369)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose St. Cloud if…

  • 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 58.0% growth in St. Cloud over the same period.

Duluth, MN

+34.9%

$35,770 (2019) → $48,270 (2025)

St. Cloud, MN

+58.0%

$29,990 (2019) → $47,390 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Duluth or St. Cloud?

Duluth has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $50,925/year, compared to St. Cloud at $49,996/year — a difference of $929 (1.86%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Duluth and St. Cloud?

Duluth veterinary technologist and technicians earn $24.49/hr while St. Cloud hygienists earn $24.04/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Duluth to St. Cloud as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Duluth and St. Cloud. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Duluth = $57,369, St. Cloud = $57,052), job availability (140 vs 100 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Duluth vs St. Cloud?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $39,499 in Duluth and $38,149 in St. Cloud. 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