Vet Tech salary

Lafayette vs Terre Haute: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

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

Lafayette, IN
$55,029
$26.46/hr
Terre Haute, IN
$50,961
$24.50/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLafayette, INTerre Haute, IN
Median Salary$55,029$50,961
Hourly Rate$26.46$24.50
Entry Level (P10)$46,620$38,196
25th Percentile$51,611$41,310
75th Percentile$55,029$62,337
Top Earner (P90)$66,265$66,271
Total Employed19013
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Lafayette ($55,029) and Terre Haute ($50,961) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.LafayetteTerre HauteMedian Salary$55,029$50,961Entry Level (P10)$46,620$38,196Top Earner (P90)$66,265$66,271US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Lafayette and Terre Haute is $4,068 (7.98%). 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,Terre Haute spans $28,075. Terre Haute 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
Terre Haute
P10 (Entry)$38,196
P25$41,310
Median$50,961
P75$62,337
P90 (Top)$66,271

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lafayette ($58,899 effective) pays 5.52% more than Terre Haute ($55,817 effective).

Lafayette
Nominal: $55,029
CoL Index: 93.43
Adjusted: $58,899
Terre Haute
Nominal: $50,961
CoL Index: 91.3
Adjusted: $55,817

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 Terre Haute if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($66,271)
  • 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 69.7% growth in Terre Haute over the same period.

Lafayette, IN

+40.5%

$37,130 (2019) → $52,160 (2025)

Terre Haute, IN

+69.7%

$28,460 (2019) → $48,304 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Lafayette has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $55,029/year, compared to Terre Haute at $50,961/year — a difference of $4,068 (7.98%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Lafayette and Terre Haute?

Lafayette veterinary technologist and technicians earn $26.46/hr while Terre Haute hygienists earn $24.50/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Lafayette and Terre Haute. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Lafayette = $58,899, Terre Haute = $55,817), job availability (190 vs 13 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $46,620 in Lafayette and $38,196 in Terre Haute. 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