Vet Tech salary

Raytown vs St. Louis: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Raytown, MO and St. Louis, MO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Raytown, MO
$40,896
$19.67/hr
St. Louis, MO
$47,327
$22.76/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRaytown, MOSt. Louis, MO
Median Salary$40,896$47,327
Hourly Rate$19.67$22.76
Entry Level (P10)$33,242$36,798
25th Percentile$34,904$40,892
75th Percentile$49,625$49,406
Top Earner (P90)$53,466$53,773
Total Employed41,000
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Raytown ($40,896) and St. Louis ($47,327) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.RaytownSt. LouisMedian Salary$40,896$47,327Entry Level (P10)$33,242$36,798Top Earner (P90)$53,466$53,773US Median $49,986

Verdict

St. Louis, MO offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Raytown.

The salary gap between Raytown and St. Louis is $6,431 (15.73%). St. Louis's median is -5.32% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Raytown spans $20,224,St. Louis spans $16,975. Raytown has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Raytown
P10 (Entry)$33,242
P25$34,904
Median$40,896
P75$49,625
P90 (Top)$53,466
St. Louis
P10 (Entry)$36,798
P25$40,892
Median$47,327
P75$49,406
P90 (Top)$53,773

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, St. Louis ($49,772 effective) pays 9.05% more than Raytown ($45,643 effective).

Raytown
Nominal: $40,896
CoL Index: 89.6
Adjusted: $45,643
St. Louis
Nominal: $47,327
CoL Index: 95.088
Adjusted: $49,772

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Raytown if…

  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Choose St. Louis if…

  • Higher median salary ($47,327/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($53,773)
  • Larger job market (1,000 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $49,772)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Raytown grew 31.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 27.9% growth in St. Louis over the same period.

Raytown, MO

+31.8%

$29,405 (2024) → $38,764 (2025)

St. Louis, MO

+27.9%

$35,070 (2019) → $44,860 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Raytown or St. Louis?

St. Louis has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $47,327/year, compared to Raytown at $40,896/year — a difference of $6,431 (15.73%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Raytown and St. Louis?

Raytown veterinary technologist and technicians earn $19.67/hr while St. Louis hygienists earn $22.76/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Raytown to St. Louis as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Raytown and St. Louis. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Raytown = $45,643, St. Louis = $49,772), job availability (4 vs 1,000 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Raytown vs St. Louis?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $33,242 in Raytown and $36,798 in St. Louis. The St. Louis 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