Vet Tech salary

Fishers vs Fort Wayne: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Fishers, IN and Fort Wayne, IN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Fishers, IN
$50,341
$24.20/hr
Fort Wayne, IN
$51,094
$24.57/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFishers, INFort Wayne, IN
Median Salary$50,341$51,094
Hourly Rate$24.20$24.57
Entry Level (P10)$36,734$39,668
25th Percentile$40,059$41,556
75th Percentile$59,806$58,363
Top Earner (P90)$69,123$60,399
Total Employed21100
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fishers ($50,341) and Fort Wayne ($51,094) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.FishersFort WayneMedian Salary$50,341$51,094Entry Level (P10)$36,734$39,668Top Earner (P90)$69,123$60,399US Median $49,986

Verdict

Fort Wayne, IN offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Fishers.

The salary gap between Fishers and Fort Wayne is $753 (1.50%). Fort Wayne's median is +2.22% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Fishers spans $32,389,Fort Wayne spans $20,731. Fishers has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Fishers
P10 (Entry)$36,734
P25$40,059
Median$50,341
P75$59,806
P90 (Top)$69,123
Fort Wayne
P10 (Entry)$39,668
P25$41,556
Median$51,094
P75$58,363
P90 (Top)$60,399

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fort Wayne ($55,194 effective) pays 0.10% more than Fishers ($55,138 effective).

Fishers
Nominal: $50,341
CoL Index: 91.3
Adjusted: $55,138
Fort Wayne
Nominal: $51,094
CoL Index: 92.572
Adjusted: $55,194

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Fishers if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($69,123)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Choose Fort Wayne if…

  • Higher median salary ($51,094/year)
  • Larger job market (100 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $55,194)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Fishers grew 45.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 52.5% growth in Fort Wayne over the same period.

Fishers, IN

+45.5%

$32,791 (2024) → $47,717 (2025)

Fort Wayne, IN

+52.5%

$31,750 (2019) → $48,430 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Fishers or Fort Wayne?

Fort Wayne has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $51,094/year, compared to Fishers at $50,341/year — a difference of $753 (1.50%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Fishers and Fort Wayne?

Fishers veterinary technologist and technicians earn $24.20/hr while Fort Wayne hygienists earn $24.57/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Fishers to Fort Wayne as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fishers and Fort Wayne. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fishers = $55,138, Fort Wayne = $55,194), job availability (21 vs 100 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Fishers vs Fort Wayne?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $36,734 in Fishers and $39,668 in Fort Wayne. The Fort Wayne 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