Vet Tech salary

Lansing vs Southfield: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

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

Lansing, MI
$56,390
$27.11/hr
Southfield, MI
$52,115
$25.06/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLansing, MISouthfield, MI
Median Salary$56,390$52,115
Hourly Rate$27.11$25.06
Entry Level (P10)$41,229$37,948
25th Percentile$52,613$41,450
75th Percentile$67,193$64,960
Top Earner (P90)$67,193$71,491
Total Employed21019
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Lansing ($56,390) and Southfield ($52,115) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.LansingSouthfieldMedian Salary$56,390$52,115Entry Level (P10)$41,229$37,948Top Earner (P90)$67,193$71,491US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Lansing and Southfield is $4,275 (8.20%). 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,Southfield spans $33,543. Southfield 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
Southfield
P10 (Entry)$37,948
P25$41,450
Median$52,115
P75$64,960
P90 (Top)$71,491

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lansing ($59,364 effective) pays 6.16% more than Southfield ($55,917 effective).

Lansing
Nominal: $56,390
CoL Index: 94.991
Adjusted: $59,364
Southfield
Nominal: $52,115
CoL Index: 93.2
Adjusted: $55,917

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 Southfield if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($71,491)
  • 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 Southfield over the same period.

Lansing, MI

+14.4%

$46,740 (2019) → $53,450 (2025)

Southfield, MI

+39.9%

$35,321 (2024) → $49,398 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Lansing has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $56,390/year, compared to Southfield at $52,115/year — a difference of $4,275 (8.20%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Lansing and Southfield?

Lansing veterinary technologist and technicians earn $27.11/hr while Southfield hygienists earn $25.06/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Lansing and Southfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Lansing = $59,364, Southfield = $55,917), job availability (210 vs 19 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $41,229 in Lansing and $37,948 in Southfield. 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