Vet Tech salary

Milwaukee vs Onalaska: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

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

Milwaukee, WI
$50,397
$24.23/hr
Onalaska, WI
$49,105
$23.61/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMilwaukee, WIOnalaska, WI
Median Salary$50,397$49,105
Hourly Rate$24.23$23.61
Entry Level (P10)$40,829$38,380
25th Percentile$47,612$42,579
75th Percentile$58,289$56,811
Top Earner (P90)$62,456$59,406
Total Employed6004
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Milwaukee ($50,397) and Onalaska ($49,105) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.MilwaukeeOnalaskaMedian Salary$50,397$49,105Entry Level (P10)$40,829$38,380Top Earner (P90)$62,456$59,406US Median $49,986

Verdict

Milwaukee, WI offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Onalaska.

The salary gap between Milwaukee and Onalaska is $1,292 (2.63%). Milwaukee's median is +0.82% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Milwaukee spans $21,627,Onalaska spans $21,026. Milwaukee has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Milwaukee
P10 (Entry)$40,829
P25$47,612
Median$50,397
P75$58,289
P90 (Top)$62,456
Onalaska
P10 (Entry)$38,380
P25$42,579
Median$49,105
P75$56,811
P90 (Top)$59,406

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Onalaska ($52,575 effective) pays 1.13% more than Milwaukee ($51,989 effective).

Milwaukee
Nominal: $50,397
CoL Index: 96.937
Adjusted: $51,989
Onalaska
Nominal: $49,105
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $52,575

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Milwaukee if…

  • Higher median salary ($50,397/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($62,456)
  • Larger job market (600 employed)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Onalaska if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $52,575)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Milwaukee grew 31.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 37.7% growth in Onalaska over the same period.

Milwaukee, WI

+31.8%

$36,250 (2019) → $47,770 (2025)

Onalaska, WI

+37.7%

$33,810 (2024) → $46,545 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Milwaukee or Onalaska?

Milwaukee has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $50,397/year, compared to Onalaska at $49,105/year — a difference of $1,292 (2.63%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Milwaukee and Onalaska?

Milwaukee veterinary technologist and technicians earn $24.23/hr while Onalaska hygienists earn $23.61/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Milwaukee to Onalaska as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Milwaukee and Onalaska. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Milwaukee = $51,989, job availability (600 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Milwaukee vs Onalaska?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $40,829 in Milwaukee and $38,380 in Onalaska. The Milwaukee 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