Vet Tech salary

Jackson vs Lansing: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

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

Jackson, MI
$50,081
$24.08/hr
Lansing, MI
$56,390
$27.11/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricJackson, MILansing, MI
Median Salary$50,081$56,390
Hourly Rate$24.08$27.11
Entry Level (P10)$40,396$41,229
25th Percentile$46,916$52,613
75th Percentile$55,852$67,193
Top Earner (P90)$66,254$67,193
Total Employed40210
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Jackson ($50,081) and Lansing ($56,390) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.JacksonLansingMedian Salary$50,081$56,390Entry Level (P10)$40,396$41,229Top Earner (P90)$66,254$67,193US Median $49,986

Verdict

Lansing, MI offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Jackson.

The salary gap between Jackson and Lansing is $6,309 (12.60%). Lansing's median is +12.81% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Jackson spans $25,858,Lansing spans $25,964. Lansing has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Jackson
P10 (Entry)$40,396
P25$46,916
Median$50,081
P75$55,852
P90 (Top)$66,254
Lansing
P10 (Entry)$41,229
P25$52,613
Median$56,390
P75$67,193
P90 (Top)$67,193

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lansing ($59,364 effective) pays 8.79% more than Jackson ($54,567 effective).

Jackson
Nominal: $50,081
CoL Index: 91.779
Adjusted: $54,567
Lansing
Nominal: $56,390
CoL Index: 94.991
Adjusted: $59,364

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Jackson if…

  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Choose Lansing if…

  • Higher median salary ($56,390/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($67,193)
  • Larger job market (210 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $59,364)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Jackson grew 32.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 14.4% growth in Lansing over the same period.

Jackson, MI

+32.4%

$35,850 (2019) → $47,470 (2025)

Lansing, MI

+14.4%

$46,740 (2019) → $53,450 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Jackson or Lansing?

Lansing has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $56,390/year, compared to Jackson at $50,081/year — a difference of $6,309 (12.60%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Jackson and Lansing?

Jackson veterinary technologist and technicians earn $24.08/hr while Lansing hygienists earn $27.11/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Jackson to Lansing as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Jackson and Lansing. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Jackson = $54,567, Lansing = $59,364), job availability (40 vs 210 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Jackson vs Lansing?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $40,396 in Jackson and $41,229 in Lansing. The Lansing 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