Vet Tech salary

Oak Lawn vs Peoria: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Oak Lawn, IL and Peoria, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Oak Lawn, IL
$48,163
$23.16/hr
Peoria, IL
$46,568
$22.39/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricOak Lawn, ILPeoria, IL
Median Salary$48,163$46,568
Hourly Rate$23.16$22.39
Entry Level (P10)$36,994$39,900
25th Percentile$38,806$40,491
75th Percentile$58,679$48,709
Top Earner (P90)$63,996$54,744
Total Employed14110
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Oak Lawn ($48,163) and Peoria ($46,568) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.Oak LawnPeoriaMedian Salary$48,163$46,568Entry Level (P10)$36,994$39,900Top Earner (P90)$63,996$54,744US Median $49,986

Verdict

Oak Lawn, IL offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Peoria.

The salary gap between Oak Lawn and Peoria is $1,595 (3.43%). Oak Lawn's median is -3.65% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Oak Lawn spans $27,002,Peoria spans $14,844. Oak Lawn has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Oak Lawn
P10 (Entry)$36,994
P25$38,806
Median$48,163
P75$58,679
P90 (Top)$63,996
Peoria
P10 (Entry)$39,900
P25$40,491
Median$46,568
P75$48,709
P90 (Top)$54,744

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Peoria ($51,044 effective) pays 2.91% more than Oak Lawn ($49,601 effective).

Oak Lawn
Nominal: $48,163
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $49,601
Peoria
Nominal: $46,568
CoL Index: 91.231
Adjusted: $51,044

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Oak Lawn if…

  • Higher median salary ($48,163/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($63,996)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Peoria if…

  • Larger job market (110 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $51,044)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Oak Lawn grew 20.6% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 37.6% growth in Peoria over the same period.

Oak Lawn, IL

+20.6%

$37,847 (2024) → $45,652 (2025)

Peoria, IL

+37.6%

$32,090 (2019) → $44,140 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Oak Lawn or Peoria?

Oak Lawn has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $48,163/year, compared to Peoria at $46,568/year — a difference of $1,595 (3.43%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Oak Lawn and Peoria?

Oak Lawn veterinary technologist and technicians earn $23.16/hr while Peoria hygienists earn $22.39/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Oak Lawn to Peoria as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Oak Lawn and Peoria. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Oak Lawn = $49,601, Peoria = $51,044), job availability (14 vs 110 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Oak Lawn vs Peoria?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $36,994 in Oak Lawn and $39,900 in Peoria. The Peoria 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