Vet Tech salary

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

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

Fort Wayne, IN
$51,094
$24.57/hr
Plainfield, IN
$49,865
$23.97/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricFort Wayne, INPlainfield, IN
Median Salary$51,094$49,865
Hourly Rate$24.57$23.97
Entry Level (P10)$39,668$38,209
25th Percentile$41,556$42,889
75th Percentile$58,363$58,920
Top Earner (P90)$60,399$62,768
Total Employed1007
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Fort Wayne ($51,094) and Plainfield ($49,865) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.Fort WaynePlainfieldMedian Salary$51,094$49,865Entry Level (P10)$39,668$38,209Top Earner (P90)$60,399$62,768US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Fort Wayne and Plainfield is $1,229 (2.46%). 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 Fort Wayne spans $20,731,Plainfield spans $24,559. Plainfield has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Fort Wayne
P10 (Entry)$39,668
P25$41,556
Median$51,094
P75$58,363
P90 (Top)$60,399
Plainfield
P10 (Entry)$38,209
P25$42,889
Median$49,865
P75$58,920
P90 (Top)$62,768

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Fort Wayne ($55,194 effective) pays 1.06% more than Plainfield ($54,617 effective).

Fort Wayne
Nominal: $51,094
CoL Index: 92.572
Adjusted: $55,194
Plainfield
Nominal: $49,865
CoL Index: 91.3
Adjusted: $54,617

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose Plainfield if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($62,768)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Fort Wayne grew 52.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 45.5% growth in Plainfield over the same period.

Fort Wayne, IN

+52.5%

$31,750 (2019) → $48,430 (2025)

Plainfield, IN

+45.5%

$32,480 (2024) → $47,265 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Fort Wayne has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $51,094/year, compared to Plainfield at $49,865/year — a difference of $1,229 (2.46%).

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

Fort Wayne veterinary technologist and technicians earn $24.57/hr while Plainfield hygienists earn $23.97/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Fort Wayne and Plainfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Fort Wayne = $55,194, Plainfield = $54,617), job availability (100 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $39,668 in Fort Wayne and $38,209 in Plainfield. 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