Vet Tech salary

Madison vs Oak Creek: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Madison, WI and Oak Creek, WI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Madison, WI
$50,893
$24.47/hr
Oak Creek, WI
$47,402
$22.79/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMadison, WIOak Creek, WI
Median Salary$50,893$47,402
Hourly Rate$24.47$22.79
Entry Level (P10)$41,514$38,023
25th Percentile$48,214$40,046
75th Percentile$59,302$58,107
Top Earner (P90)$64,977$63,112
Total Employed6205
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Madison ($50,893) and Oak Creek ($47,402) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.MadisonOak CreekMedian Salary$50,893$47,402Entry Level (P10)$41,514$38,023Top Earner (P90)$64,977$63,112US Median $49,986

Verdict

Madison, WI offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Oak Creek.

The salary gap between Madison and Oak Creek is $3,491 (7.36%). Madison's median is +1.81% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Madison spans $23,463,Oak Creek spans $25,089. Oak Creek has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Madison
P10 (Entry)$41,514
P25$48,214
Median$50,893
P75$59,302
P90 (Top)$64,977
Oak Creek
P10 (Entry)$38,023
P25$40,046
Median$47,402
P75$58,107
P90 (Top)$63,112

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Madison ($52,312 effective) pays 3.08% more than Oak Creek ($50,752 effective).

Madison
Nominal: $50,893
CoL Index: 97.287
Adjusted: $52,312
Oak Creek
Nominal: $47,402
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $50,752

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Madison if…

  • Higher median salary ($50,893/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($64,977)
  • Larger job market (620 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $52,312)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Oak Creek if…

  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Madison grew 26.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 32.1% growth in Oak Creek over the same period.

Madison, WI

+26.5%

$38,120 (2019) → $48,240 (2025)

Oak Creek, WI

+32.1%

$34,013 (2024) → $44,931 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Madison or Oak Creek?

Madison has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $50,893/year, compared to Oak Creek at $47,402/year — a difference of $3,491 (7.36%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Madison and Oak Creek?

Madison veterinary technologist and technicians earn $24.47/hr while Oak Creek hygienists earn $22.79/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Madison to Oak Creek as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Madison and Oak Creek. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Madison = $52,312, Oak Creek = $50,752), job availability (620 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Madison vs Oak Creek?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $41,514 in Madison and $38,023 in Oak Creek. The Madison 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