Vet Tech salary

Rochester vs Roseville: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Rochester, MN and Roseville, MN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Rochester, MN
$58,816
$28.27/hr
Roseville, MN
$50,576
$24.32/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRochester, MNRoseville, MN
Median Salary$58,816$50,576
Hourly Rate$28.27$24.32
Entry Level (P10)$43,772$38,988
25th Percentile$50,123$41,598
75th Percentile$61,042$60,936
Top Earner (P90)$78,323$65,406
Total Employed1408
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Rochester ($58,816) and Roseville ($50,576) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.RochesterRosevilleMedian Salary$58,816$50,576Entry Level (P10)$43,772$38,988Top Earner (P90)$78,323$65,406US Median $49,986

Verdict

Rochester, MN offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Roseville.

The salary gap between Rochester and Roseville is $8,240 (16.29%). Rochester's median is +17.66% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Rochester spans $34,551,Roseville spans $26,418. Rochester has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Rochester
P10 (Entry)$43,772
P25$50,123
Median$58,816
P75$61,042
P90 (Top)$78,323
Roseville
P10 (Entry)$38,988
P25$41,598
Median$50,576
P75$60,936
P90 (Top)$65,406

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Rochester ($64,760 effective) pays 26.12% more than Roseville ($51,346 effective).

Rochester
Nominal: $58,816
CoL Index: 90.821
Adjusted: $64,760
Roseville
Nominal: $50,576
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $51,346

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Rochester if…

  • Higher median salary ($58,816/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($78,323)
  • Larger job market (140 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $64,760)
  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Choose Roseville if…

  • You prefer the Minnesota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Rochester grew 57.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 17.2% growth in Roseville over the same period.

Rochester, MN

+57.0%

$35,520 (2019) → $55,750 (2025)

Roseville, MN

+17.2%

$40,917 (2024) → $47,939 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Rochester or Roseville?

Rochester has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $58,816/year, compared to Roseville at $50,576/year — a difference of $8,240 (16.29%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Rochester and Roseville?

Rochester veterinary technologist and technicians earn $28.27/hr while Roseville hygienists earn $24.32/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Rochester to Roseville as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Rochester and Roseville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Rochester = $64,760, Roseville = $51,346), job availability (140 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Rochester vs Roseville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $43,772 in Rochester and $38,988 in Roseville. The Rochester 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