Vet Tech salary

Kansas City vs Maryland Heights: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Kansas City, MO and Maryland Heights, MO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Kansas City, MO
$48,804
$23.46/hr
Maryland Heights, MO
$41,612
$20.00/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKansas City, MOMaryland Heights, MO
Median Salary$48,804$41,612
Hourly Rate$23.46$20.00
Entry Level (P10)$40,122$31,589
25th Percentile$41,272$33,864
75th Percentile$51,874$48,893
Top Earner (P90)$61,570$55,811
Total Employed8805
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kansas City ($48,804) and Maryland Heights ($41,612) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.Kansas CityMaryland HeightsMedian Salary$48,804$41,612Entry Level (P10)$40,122$31,589Top Earner (P90)$61,570$55,811US Median $49,986

Verdict

Kansas City, MO offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Maryland Heights.

The salary gap between Kansas City and Maryland Heights is $7,192 (17.28%). Kansas City's median is -2.36% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Kansas City spans $21,448,Maryland Heights spans $24,222. Maryland Heights has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Kansas City
P10 (Entry)$40,122
P25$41,272
Median$48,804
P75$51,874
P90 (Top)$61,570
Maryland Heights
P10 (Entry)$31,589
P25$33,864
Median$41,612
P75$48,893
P90 (Top)$55,811

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Kansas City ($52,737 effective) pays 13.55% more than Maryland Heights ($46,442 effective).

Kansas City
Nominal: $48,804
CoL Index: 92.543
Adjusted: $52,737
Maryland Heights
Nominal: $41,612
CoL Index: 89.6
Adjusted: $46,442

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Kansas City if…

  • Higher median salary ($48,804/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($61,570)
  • Larger job market (880 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $52,737)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Choose Maryland Heights if…

  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Kansas City grew 42.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 31.8% growth in Maryland Heights over the same period.

Kansas City, MO

+42.2%

$32,530 (2019) → $46,260 (2025)

Maryland Heights, MO

+31.8%

$29,920 (2024) → $39,443 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Kansas City or Maryland Heights?

Kansas City has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $48,804/year, compared to Maryland Heights at $41,612/year — a difference of $7,192 (17.28%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Kansas City and Maryland Heights?

Kansas City veterinary technologist and technicians earn $23.46/hr while Maryland Heights hygienists earn $20.00/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Kansas City to Maryland Heights as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kansas City and Maryland Heights. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kansas City = $52,737, Maryland Heights = $46,442), job availability (880 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Kansas City vs Maryland Heights?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $40,122 in Kansas City and $31,589 in Maryland Heights. The Kansas City 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