Vet Tech salary

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

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

Grand Rapids, MI
$55,303
$26.59/hr
Monroe, MI
$51,864
$24.94/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGrand Rapids, MIMonroe, MI
Median Salary$55,303$51,864
Hourly Rate$26.59$24.94
Entry Level (P10)$40,333$36,851
25th Percentile$49,469$41,071
75th Percentile$61,390$59,755
Top Earner (P90)$78,819$63,152
Total Employed29040
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Grand Rapids ($55,303) and Monroe ($51,864) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.Grand RapidsMonroeMedian Salary$55,303$51,864Entry Level (P10)$40,333$36,851Top Earner (P90)$78,819$63,152US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Grand Rapids and Monroe is $3,439 (6.63%). 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 Grand Rapids spans $38,486,Monroe spans $26,301. Grand Rapids has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Grand Rapids
P10 (Entry)$40,333
P25$49,469
Median$55,303
P75$61,390
P90 (Top)$78,819
Monroe
P10 (Entry)$36,851
P25$41,071
Median$51,864
P75$59,755
P90 (Top)$63,152

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Grand Rapids ($57,881 effective) pays 4.34% more than Monroe ($55,474 effective).

Grand Rapids
Nominal: $55,303
CoL Index: 95.546
Adjusted: $57,881
Monroe
Nominal: $51,864
CoL Index: 93.492
Adjusted: $55,474

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose Monroe if…

  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Grand Rapids grew 62.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 51.9% growth in Monroe over the same period.

Grand Rapids, MI

+62.5%

$32,260 (2019) → $52,420 (2025)

Monroe, MI

+51.9%

$32,370 (2019) → $49,160 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Grand Rapids has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $55,303/year, compared to Monroe at $51,864/year — a difference of $3,439 (6.63%).

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

Grand Rapids veterinary technologist and technicians earn $26.59/hr while Monroe hygienists earn $24.94/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Grand Rapids and Monroe. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Grand Rapids = $57,881, Monroe = $55,474), job availability (290 vs 40 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $40,333 in Grand Rapids and $36,851 in Monroe. 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