Vet Tech salary

Lansing vs Royal Oak: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

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

Lansing, MI
$56,390
$27.11/hr
Royal Oak, MI
$51,614
$24.81/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLansing, MIRoyal Oak, MI
Median Salary$56,390$51,614
Hourly Rate$27.11$24.81
Entry Level (P10)$41,229$40,913
25th Percentile$52,613$43,549
75th Percentile$67,193$63,756
Top Earner (P90)$67,193$69,837
Total Employed21012
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Lansing ($56,390) and Royal Oak ($51,614) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.LansingRoyal OakMedian Salary$56,390$51,614Entry Level (P10)$41,229$40,913Top Earner (P90)$67,193$69,837US Median $49,986

Verdict

Lansing, MI offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Royal Oak.

The salary gap between Lansing and Royal Oak is $4,776 (9.25%). 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 Lansing spans $25,964,Royal Oak spans $28,924. Royal Oak has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Lansing
P10 (Entry)$41,229
P25$52,613
Median$56,390
P75$67,193
P90 (Top)$67,193
Royal Oak
P10 (Entry)$40,913
P25$43,549
Median$51,614
P75$63,756
P90 (Top)$69,837

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lansing ($59,364 effective) pays 7.19% more than Royal Oak ($55,380 effective).

Lansing
Nominal: $56,390
CoL Index: 94.991
Adjusted: $59,364
Royal Oak
Nominal: $51,614
CoL Index: 93.2
Adjusted: $55,380

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Lansing if…

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

Choose Royal Oak if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($69,837)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Lansing grew 14.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 39.9% growth in Royal Oak over the same period.

Lansing, MI

+14.4%

$46,740 (2019) → $53,450 (2025)

Royal Oak, MI

+39.9%

$34,982 (2024) → $48,923 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Lansing has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $56,390/year, compared to Royal Oak at $51,614/year — a difference of $4,776 (9.25%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Lansing and Royal Oak?

Lansing veterinary technologist and technicians earn $27.11/hr while Royal Oak hygienists earn $24.81/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Lansing and Royal Oak. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Lansing = $59,364, Royal Oak = $55,380), job availability (210 vs 12 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $41,229 in Lansing and $40,913 in Royal Oak. 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