Vet Tech salary

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

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

Milwaukee, WI
$50,397
$24.23/hr
Waukesha, WI
$51,032
$24.54/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMilwaukee, WIWaukesha, WI
Median Salary$50,397$51,032
Hourly Rate$24.23$24.54
Entry Level (P10)$40,829$37,636
25th Percentile$47,612$40,908
75th Percentile$58,289$60,847
Top Earner (P90)$62,456$65,597
Total Employed60014
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Milwaukee ($50,397) and Waukesha ($51,032) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.MilwaukeeWaukeshaMedian Salary$50,397$51,032Entry Level (P10)$40,829$37,636Top Earner (P90)$62,456$65,597US Median $49,986

Verdict

Waukesha, WI offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Milwaukee.

The salary gap between Milwaukee and Waukesha is $635 (1.26%). Waukesha's median is +2.09% 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,Waukesha spans $27,961. Waukesha has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Milwaukee
P10 (Entry)$40,829
P25$47,612
Median$50,397
P75$58,289
P90 (Top)$62,456
Waukesha
P10 (Entry)$37,636
P25$40,908
Median$51,032
P75$60,847
P90 (Top)$65,597

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Waukesha ($54,638 effective) pays 5.09% more than Milwaukee ($51,989 effective).

Milwaukee
Nominal: $50,397
CoL Index: 96.937
Adjusted: $51,989
Waukesha
Nominal: $51,032
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $54,638

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Milwaukee if…

  • Larger job market (600 employed)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Waukesha if…

  • Higher median salary ($51,032/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($65,597)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $54,638)
  • 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 36.0% growth in Waukesha over the same period.

Milwaukee, WI

+31.8%

$36,250 (2019) → $47,770 (2025)

Waukesha, WI

+36.0%

$35,580 (2024) → $48,372 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Waukesha has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $51,032/year, compared to Milwaukee at $50,397/year — a difference of $635 (1.26%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Milwaukee and Waukesha?

Milwaukee veterinary technologist and technicians earn $24.23/hr while Waukesha hygienists earn $24.54/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Milwaukee and Waukesha. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Milwaukee = $51,989, Waukesha = $54,638), job availability (600 vs 14 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $40,829 in Milwaukee and $37,636 in Waukesha. 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