Vet Tech salary

Peoria vs St. Charles: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

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

Peoria, IL
$46,568
$22.39/hr
St. Charles, IL
$48,721
$23.42/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPeoria, ILSt. Charles, IL
Median Salary$46,568$48,721
Hourly Rate$22.39$23.42
Entry Level (P10)$39,900$37,332
25th Percentile$40,491$39,867
75th Percentile$48,709$57,494
Top Earner (P90)$54,744$60,966
Total Employed1107
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Peoria ($46,568) and St. Charles ($48,721) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.PeoriaSt. CharlesMedian Salary$46,568$48,721Entry Level (P10)$39,900$37,332Top Earner (P90)$54,744$60,966US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Peoria and St. Charles is $2,153 (4.62%). St. Charles's median is -2.53% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Peoria spans $14,844,St. Charles spans $23,634. St. Charles has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Peoria
P10 (Entry)$39,900
P25$40,491
Median$46,568
P75$48,709
P90 (Top)$54,744
St. Charles
P10 (Entry)$37,332
P25$39,867
Median$48,721
P75$57,494
P90 (Top)$60,966

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Peoria ($51,044 effective) pays 1.73% more than St. Charles ($50,176 effective).

Peoria
Nominal: $46,568
CoL Index: 91.231
Adjusted: $51,044
St. Charles
Nominal: $48,721
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $50,176

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Peoria if…

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

Choose St. Charles if…

  • Higher median salary ($48,721/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($60,966)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Peoria grew 37.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 20.6% growth in St. Charles over the same period.

Peoria, IL

+37.6%

$32,090 (2019) → $44,140 (2025)

St. Charles, IL

+20.6%

$38,285 (2024) → $46,181 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Peoria or St. Charles?

St. Charles has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $48,721/year, compared to Peoria at $46,568/year — a difference of $2,153 (4.62%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Peoria and St. Charles?

Peoria veterinary technologist and technicians earn $22.39/hr while St. Charles hygienists earn $23.42/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Peoria to St. Charles as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Peoria and St. Charles. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Peoria = $51,044, St. Charles = $50,176), job availability (110 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Peoria vs St. Charles?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $39,900 in Peoria and $37,332 in St. Charles. 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