Vet Tech salary

Lansing vs St. Clair Shores: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

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

Lansing, MI
$56,390
$27.11/hr
St. Clair Shores, MI
$51,945
$24.97/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLansing, MISt. Clair Shores, MI
Median Salary$56,390$51,945
Hourly Rate$27.11$24.97
Entry Level (P10)$41,229$40,032
25th Percentile$52,613$43,090
75th Percentile$67,193$64,524
Top Earner (P90)$67,193$71,084
Total Employed21013
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Lansing ($56,390) and St. Clair Shores ($51,945) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.LansingSt. Clair ShoresMedian Salary$56,390$51,945Entry Level (P10)$41,229$40,032Top Earner (P90)$67,193$71,084US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Lansing and St. Clair Shores is $4,445 (8.56%). 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,St. Clair Shores spans $31,052. St. Clair Shores 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
St. Clair Shores
P10 (Entry)$40,032
P25$43,090
Median$51,945
P75$64,524
P90 (Top)$71,084

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lansing ($59,364 effective) pays 6.51% more than St. Clair Shores ($55,735 effective).

Lansing
Nominal: $56,390
CoL Index: 94.991
Adjusted: $59,364
St. Clair Shores
Nominal: $51,945
CoL Index: 93.2
Adjusted: $55,735

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 St. Clair Shores if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($71,084)
  • 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 St. Clair Shores over the same period.

Lansing, MI

+14.4%

$46,740 (2019) → $53,450 (2025)

St. Clair Shores, MI

+39.9%

$35,206 (2024) → $49,237 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Lansing or St. Clair Shores?

Lansing has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $56,390/year, compared to St. Clair Shores at $51,945/year — a difference of $4,445 (8.56%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Lansing and St. Clair Shores?

Lansing veterinary technologist and technicians earn $27.11/hr while St. Clair Shores hygienists earn $24.97/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Lansing to St. Clair Shores as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Lansing and St. Clair Shores. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Lansing = $59,364, St. Clair Shores = $55,735), job availability (210 vs 13 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Lansing vs St. Clair Shores?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $41,229 in Lansing and $40,032 in St. Clair Shores. 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