Vet Tech salary

Sioux Falls vs Yankton: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Sioux Falls, SD and Yankton, SD. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Sioux Falls, SD
$49,047
$23.58/hr
Yankton, SD
$44,590
$21.44/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSioux Falls, SDYankton, SD
Median Salary$49,047$44,590
Hourly Rate$23.58$21.44
Entry Level (P10)$39,119$35,743
25th Percentile$46,072$37,418
75th Percentile$50,070$52,064
Top Earner (P90)$52,317$54,714
Total Employed1004
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Sioux Falls ($49,047) and Yankton ($44,590) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.Sioux FallsYanktonMedian Salary$49,047$44,590Entry Level (P10)$39,119$35,743Top Earner (P90)$52,317$54,714US Median $49,986

Verdict

Sioux Falls, SD offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Yankton.

The salary gap between Sioux Falls and Yankton is $4,457 (10.00%). Sioux Falls's median is -1.88% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Sioux Falls spans $13,198,Yankton spans $18,971. Yankton has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Sioux Falls
P10 (Entry)$39,119
P25$46,072
Median$49,047
P75$50,070
P90 (Top)$52,317
Yankton
P10 (Entry)$35,743
P25$37,418
Median$44,590
P75$52,064
P90 (Top)$54,714

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Sioux Falls ($54,117 effective) pays 12.63% more than Yankton ($48,050 effective).

Sioux Falls
Nominal: $49,047
CoL Index: 90.631
Adjusted: $54,117
Yankton
Nominal: $44,590
CoL Index: 92.8
Adjusted: $48,050

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Sioux Falls if…

  • Higher median salary ($49,047/year)
  • Larger job market (100 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $54,117)
  • You prefer the South Dakota area and lifestyle

Choose Yankton if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($54,714)
  • You prefer the South Dakota area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Sioux Falls grew 28.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 39.4% growth in Yankton over the same period.

Sioux Falls, SD

+28.4%

$36,220 (2019) → $46,490 (2025)

Yankton, SD

+39.4%

$30,329 (2024) → $42,265 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Sioux Falls or Yankton?

Sioux Falls has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $49,047/year, compared to Yankton at $44,590/year — a difference of $4,457 (10.00%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Sioux Falls and Yankton?

Sioux Falls veterinary technologist and technicians earn $23.58/hr while Yankton hygienists earn $21.44/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Sioux Falls to Yankton as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Sioux Falls and Yankton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Sioux Falls = $54,117, Yankton = $48,050), job availability (100 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Sioux Falls vs Yankton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $39,119 in Sioux Falls and $35,743 in Yankton. The Sioux Falls area offers higher starting salaries.
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