Vet Tech salary

Flint vs Grand Rapids: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

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

Flint, MI
$51,758
$24.89/hr
Grand Rapids, MI
$55,303
$26.59/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFlint, MIGrand Rapids, MI
Median Salary$51,758$55,303
Hourly Rate$24.89$26.59
Entry Level (P10)$37,611$40,333
25th Percentile$41,694$49,469
75th Percentile$61,169$61,390
Top Earner (P90)$66,634$78,819
Total Employed70290
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Flint ($51,758) and Grand Rapids ($55,303) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.FlintGrand RapidsMedian Salary$51,758$55,303Entry Level (P10)$37,611$40,333Top Earner (P90)$66,634$78,819US Median $49,986

Verdict

Grand Rapids, MI offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Flint.

The salary gap between Flint and Grand Rapids is $3,545 (6.85%). Grand Rapids's median is +10.64% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Flint spans $29,023,Grand Rapids spans $38,486. Grand Rapids has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Flint
P10 (Entry)$37,611
P25$41,694
Median$51,758
P75$61,169
P90 (Top)$66,634
Grand Rapids
P10 (Entry)$40,333
P25$49,469
Median$55,303
P75$61,390
P90 (Top)$78,819

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Grand Rapids ($57,881 effective) pays 4.04% more than Flint ($55,633 effective).

Flint
Nominal: $51,758
CoL Index: 93.034
Adjusted: $55,633
Grand Rapids
Nominal: $55,303
CoL Index: 95.546
Adjusted: $57,881

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Flint if…

  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Choose Grand Rapids if…

  • Higher median salary ($55,303/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($78,819)
  • Larger job market (290 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $57,881)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Flint grew 47.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 62.5% growth in Grand Rapids over the same period.

Flint, MI

+47.7%

$33,220 (2019) → $49,060 (2025)

Grand Rapids, MI

+62.5%

$32,260 (2019) → $52,420 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Flint or Grand Rapids?

Grand Rapids has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $55,303/year, compared to Flint at $51,758/year — a difference of $3,545 (6.85%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Flint and Grand Rapids?

Flint veterinary technologist and technicians earn $24.89/hr while Grand Rapids hygienists earn $26.59/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Flint to Grand Rapids as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Flint and Grand Rapids. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Flint = $55,633, Grand Rapids = $57,881), job availability (70 vs 290 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Flint vs Grand Rapids?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $37,611 in Flint and $40,333 in Grand Rapids. The Grand Rapids 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