Vet Tech salary

Indianapolis vs Plainfield: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

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

Indianapolis, IN
$52,444
$25.21/hr
Plainfield, IN
$49,865
$23.97/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricIndianapolis, INPlainfield, IN
Median Salary$52,444$49,865
Hourly Rate$25.21$23.97
Entry Level (P10)$40,153$38,209
25th Percentile$46,631$42,889
75th Percentile$60,335$58,920
Top Earner (P90)$62,045$62,768
Total Employed6007
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Indianapolis ($52,444) and Plainfield ($49,865) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.IndianapolisPlainfieldMedian Salary$52,444$49,865Entry Level (P10)$40,153$38,209Top Earner (P90)$62,045$62,768US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Indianapolis and Plainfield is $2,579 (5.17%). 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,Plainfield spans $24,559. Plainfield 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
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, Indianapolis ($54,803 effective) pays 0.34% more than Plainfield ($54,617 effective).

Indianapolis
Nominal: $52,444
CoL Index: 95.696
Adjusted: $54,803
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 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 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 Indianapolis grew 50.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 45.5% growth in Plainfield over the same period.

Indianapolis, IN

+50.1%

$33,110 (2019) → $49,710 (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: Indianapolis or Plainfield?

Indianapolis has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $52,444/year, compared to Plainfield at $49,865/year — a difference of $2,579 (5.17%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Indianapolis and Plainfield?

Indianapolis veterinary technologist and technicians earn $25.21/hr while Plainfield hygienists earn $23.97/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Indianapolis and Plainfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Indianapolis = $54,803, Plainfield = $54,617), job availability (600 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $40,153 in Indianapolis and $38,209 in Plainfield. 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