Vet Tech salary

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

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

Grand Rapids, MI
$55,303
$26.59/hr
Mount Pleasant, MI
$48,743
$23.43/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGrand Rapids, MIMount Pleasant, MI
Median Salary$55,303$48,743
Hourly Rate$26.59$23.43
Entry Level (P10)$40,333$40,659
25th Percentile$49,469$42,096
75th Percentile$61,390$56,271
Top Earner (P90)$78,819$61,504
Total Employed2906
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Grand Rapids ($55,303) and Mount Pleasant ($48,743) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.Grand RapidsMount PleasantMedian Salary$55,303$48,743Entry Level (P10)$40,333$40,659Top Earner (P90)$78,819$61,504US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Grand Rapids and Mount Pleasant is $6,560 (13.46%). 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,Mount Pleasant spans $20,845. 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
Mount Pleasant
P10 (Entry)$40,659
P25$42,096
Median$48,743
P75$56,271
P90 (Top)$61,504

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Grand Rapids ($57,881 effective) pays 10.67% more than Mount Pleasant ($52,299 effective).

Grand Rapids
Nominal: $55,303
CoL Index: 95.546
Adjusted: $57,881
Mount Pleasant
Nominal: $48,743
CoL Index: 93.2
Adjusted: $52,299

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 Mount Pleasant 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 39.8% growth in Mount Pleasant over the same period.

Grand Rapids, MI

+62.5%

$32,260 (2019) → $52,420 (2025)

Mount Pleasant, MI

+39.8%

$33,037 (2024) → $46,202 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Grand Rapids has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $55,303/year, compared to Mount Pleasant at $48,743/year — a difference of $6,560 (13.46%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Grand Rapids and Mount Pleasant?

Grand Rapids veterinary technologist and technicians earn $26.59/hr while Mount Pleasant hygienists earn $23.43/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Grand Rapids and Mount Pleasant. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Grand Rapids = $57,881, Mount Pleasant = $52,299), job availability (290 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $40,333 in Grand Rapids and $40,659 in Mount Pleasant. The Mount Pleasant 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