Vet Tech salary

Lafayette vs Muncie: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

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

Lafayette, IN
$55,029
$26.46/hr
Muncie, IN
$51,181
$24.60/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLafayette, INMuncie, IN
Median Salary$55,029$51,181
Hourly Rate$26.46$24.60
Entry Level (P10)$46,620$38,723
25th Percentile$51,611$41,759
75th Percentile$55,029$61,757
Top Earner (P90)$66,265$67,008
Total Employed19013
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Lafayette ($55,029) and Muncie ($51,181) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.LafayetteMuncieMedian Salary$55,029$51,181Entry Level (P10)$46,620$38,723Top Earner (P90)$66,265$67,008US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Lafayette and Muncie is $3,848 (7.52%). Lafayette's median is +10.09% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Lafayette spans $19,645,Muncie spans $28,285. Muncie has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Lafayette
P10 (Entry)$46,620
P25$51,611
Median$55,029
P75$55,029
P90 (Top)$66,265
Muncie
P10 (Entry)$38,723
P25$41,759
Median$51,181
P75$61,757
P90 (Top)$67,008

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lafayette ($58,899 effective) pays 5.07% more than Muncie ($56,058 effective).

Lafayette
Nominal: $55,029
CoL Index: 93.43
Adjusted: $58,899
Muncie
Nominal: $51,181
CoL Index: 91.3
Adjusted: $56,058

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Lafayette if…

  • Higher median salary ($55,029/year)
  • Larger job market (190 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $58,899)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Choose Muncie if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($67,008)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Lafayette grew 40.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 37.8% growth in Muncie over the same period.

Lafayette, IN

+40.5%

$37,130 (2019) → $52,160 (2025)

Muncie, IN

+37.8%

$35,210 (2021) → $48,513 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Lafayette or Muncie?

Lafayette has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $55,029/year, compared to Muncie at $51,181/year — a difference of $3,848 (7.52%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Lafayette and Muncie?

Lafayette veterinary technologist and technicians earn $26.46/hr while Muncie hygienists earn $24.60/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Lafayette to Muncie as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Lafayette and Muncie. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Lafayette = $58,899, Muncie = $56,058), job availability (190 vs 13 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Lafayette vs Muncie?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $46,620 in Lafayette and $38,723 in Muncie. The Lafayette 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