Vet Tech salary

Indianapolis vs Michigan City: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Indianapolis, IN and Michigan City, IN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Indianapolis, IN
$52,444
$25.21/hr
Michigan City, IN
$49,828
$23.96/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricIndianapolis, INMichigan City, IN
Median Salary$52,444$49,828
Hourly Rate$25.21$23.96
Entry Level (P10)$40,153$39,805
25th Percentile$46,631$43,709
75th Percentile$60,335$58,742
Top Earner (P90)$62,045$62,224
Total Employed60030
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Indianapolis ($52,444) and Michigan City ($49,828) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.IndianapolisMichigan CityMedian Salary$52,444$49,828Entry Level (P10)$40,153$39,805Top Earner (P90)$62,045$62,224US Median $49,986

Verdict

Indianapolis, IN offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Michigan City.

The salary gap between Indianapolis and Michigan City is $2,616 (5.25%). Indianapolis's median is +4.92% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Indianapolis spans $21,892,Michigan City spans $22,419. Michigan City has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Indianapolis
P10 (Entry)$40,153
P25$46,631
Median$52,444
P75$60,335
P90 (Top)$62,045
Michigan City
P10 (Entry)$39,805
P25$43,709
Median$49,828
P75$58,742
P90 (Top)$62,224

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Indianapolis ($54,803 effective) pays 0.84% more than Michigan City ($54,349 effective).

Indianapolis
Nominal: $52,444
CoL Index: 95.696
Adjusted: $54,803
Michigan City
Nominal: $49,828
CoL Index: 91.682
Adjusted: $54,349

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Indianapolis if…

  • Higher median salary ($52,444/year)
  • Larger job market (600 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $54,803)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Choose Michigan City if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($62,224)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Indianapolis grew 50.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 30.9% growth in Michigan City over the same period.

Indianapolis, IN

+50.1%

$33,110 (2019) → $49,710 (2025)

Michigan City, IN

+30.9%

$36,090 (2023) → $47,230 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Indianapolis or Michigan City?

Indianapolis has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $52,444/year, compared to Michigan City at $49,828/year — a difference of $2,616 (5.25%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Indianapolis and Michigan City?

Indianapolis veterinary technologist and technicians earn $25.21/hr while Michigan City hygienists earn $23.96/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Indianapolis to Michigan City as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Indianapolis and Michigan City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Indianapolis = $54,803, Michigan City = $54,349), job availability (600 vs 30 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Indianapolis vs Michigan City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $40,153 in Indianapolis and $39,805 in Michigan City. The Indianapolis 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