Vet Tech salary

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

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

Duluth, MN
$50,925
$24.49/hr
St. Paul, MN
$61,714
$29.67/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDuluth, MNSt. Paul, MN
Median Salary$50,925$61,714
Hourly Rate$24.49$29.67
Entry Level (P10)$39,499$45,679
25th Percentile$45,871$50,255
75th Percentile$58,869$75,066
Top Earner (P90)$61,011$89,203
Total Employed14080
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Duluth ($50,925) and St. Paul ($61,714) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.DuluthSt. PaulMedian Salary$50,925$61,714Entry Level (P10)$39,499$45,679Top Earner (P90)$61,011$89,203US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Duluth and St. Paul is $10,789 (21.19%). St. Paul's median is +23.46% 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. Paul spans $43,524. St. Paul 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. Paul
P10 (Entry)$45,679
P25$50,255
Median$61,714
P75$75,066
P90 (Top)$89,203

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, St. Paul ($62,654 effective) pays 9.21% more than Duluth ($57,369 effective).

Duluth
Nominal: $50,925
CoL Index: 88.768
Adjusted: $57,369
St. Paul
Nominal: $61,714
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $62,654

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Duluth if…

  • Larger job market (140 employed)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose St. Paul if…

  • Higher median salary ($61,714/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($89,203)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $62,654)
  • 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 36.0% growth in St. Paul over the same period.

Duluth, MN

+34.9%

$35,770 (2019) → $48,270 (2025)

St. Paul, MN

+36.0%

$43,002 (2024) → $58,497 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

St. Paul has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $61,714/year, compared to Duluth at $50,925/year — a difference of $10,789 (21.19%).

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

Duluth veterinary technologist and technicians earn $24.49/hr while St. Paul hygienists earn $29.67/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Duluth and St. Paul. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Duluth = $57,369, St. Paul = $62,654), job availability (140 vs 80 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $39,499 in Duluth and $45,679 in St. Paul. The St. Paul 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