Vet Tech salary

Lansing vs Shelby Township: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

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

Lansing, MI
$56,390
$27.11/hr
Shelby Township, MI
$52,690
$25.33/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLansing, MIShelby Township, MI
Median Salary$56,390$52,690
Hourly Rate$27.11$25.33
Entry Level (P10)$41,229$39,358
25th Percentile$52,613$42,610
75th Percentile$67,193$64,351
Top Earner (P90)$67,193$70,274
Total Employed21021
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Lansing ($56,390) and Shelby Township ($52,690) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.LansingShelby TownshipMedian Salary$56,390$52,690Entry Level (P10)$41,229$39,358Top Earner (P90)$67,193$70,274US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Lansing and Shelby Township is $3,700 (7.02%). 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,Shelby Township spans $30,916. Shelby Township 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
Shelby Township
P10 (Entry)$39,358
P25$42,610
Median$52,690
P75$64,351
P90 (Top)$70,274

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lansing ($59,364 effective) pays 5.00% more than Shelby Township ($56,534 effective).

Lansing
Nominal: $56,390
CoL Index: 94.991
Adjusted: $59,364
Shelby Township
Nominal: $52,690
CoL Index: 93.2
Adjusted: $56,534

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 Shelby Township if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($70,274)
  • 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 Shelby Township over the same period.

Lansing, MI

+14.4%

$46,740 (2019) → $53,450 (2025)

Shelby Township, MI

+39.9%

$35,711 (2024) → $49,943 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Lansing has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $56,390/year, compared to Shelby Township at $52,690/year — a difference of $3,700 (7.02%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Lansing and Shelby Township?

Lansing veterinary technologist and technicians earn $27.11/hr while Shelby Township hygienists earn $25.33/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Lansing and Shelby Township. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Lansing = $59,364, Shelby Township = $56,534), job availability (210 vs 21 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $41,229 in Lansing and $39,358 in Shelby Township. 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