Vet Tech salary

East Lansing vs Lansing: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between East Lansing, MI and Lansing, MI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

East Lansing, MI
$55,914
$26.88/hr
Lansing, MI
$56,390
$27.11/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricEast Lansing, MILansing, MI
Median Salary$55,914$56,390
Hourly Rate$26.88$27.11
Entry Level (P10)$45,182$41,229
25th Percentile$47,481$52,613
75th Percentile$65,475$67,193
Top Earner (P90)$74,835$67,193
Total Employed8210
Side-by-side bar chart comparing East Lansing ($55,914) and Lansing ($56,390) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.East LansingLansingMedian Salary$55,914$56,390Entry Level (P10)$45,182$41,229Top Earner (P90)$74,835$67,193US Median $49,986

Verdict

Lansing, MI offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to East Lansing.

The salary gap between East Lansing and Lansing is $476 (0.85%). Lansing's median is +12.81% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in East Lansing spans $29,653,Lansing spans $25,964. East Lansing has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

East Lansing
P10 (Entry)$45,182
P25$47,481
Median$55,914
P75$65,475
P90 (Top)$74,835
Lansing
P10 (Entry)$41,229
P25$52,613
Median$56,390
P75$67,193
P90 (Top)$67,193

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, East Lansing ($59,994 effective) pays 1.06% more than Lansing ($59,364 effective).

East Lansing
Nominal: $55,914
CoL Index: 93.2
Adjusted: $59,994
Lansing
Nominal: $56,390
CoL Index: 94.991
Adjusted: $59,364

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose East Lansing if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($74,835)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $59,994)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Choose Lansing if…

  • Higher median salary ($56,390/year)
  • Larger job market (210 employed)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in East Lansing grew 55.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 14.4% growth in Lansing over the same period.

East Lansing, MI

+55.6%

$34,064 (2024) → $52,999 (2025)

Lansing, MI

+14.4%

$46,740 (2019) → $53,450 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: East Lansing or Lansing?

Lansing has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $56,390/year, compared to East Lansing at $55,914/year — a difference of $476 (0.85%).

What is the hourly rate difference between East Lansing and Lansing?

East Lansing veterinary technologist and technicians earn $26.88/hr while Lansing hygienists earn $27.11/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from East Lansing to Lansing as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing East Lansing and Lansing. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: East Lansing = $59,994, Lansing = $59,364), job availability (8 vs 210 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in East Lansing vs Lansing?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $45,182 in East Lansing and $41,229 in Lansing. The East Lansing 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