Vet Tech salary

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

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

Springfield, MO
$40,649
$19.54/hr
St. Louis, MO
$47,327
$22.76/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSpringfield, MOSt. Louis, MO
Median Salary$40,649$47,327
Hourly Rate$19.54$22.76
Entry Level (P10)$31,650$36,798
25th Percentile$38,655$40,892
75th Percentile$47,876$49,406
Top Earner (P90)$49,775$53,773
Total Employed1301,000
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Springfield ($40,649) and St. Louis ($47,327) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.SpringfieldSt. LouisMedian Salary$40,649$47,327Entry Level (P10)$31,650$36,798Top Earner (P90)$49,775$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 Springfield.

The salary gap between Springfield and St. Louis is $6,678 (16.43%). 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 Springfield spans $18,125,St. Louis spans $16,975. Springfield has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Springfield
P10 (Entry)$31,650
P25$38,655
Median$40,649
P75$47,876
P90 (Top)$49,775
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 8.47% more than Springfield ($45,887 effective).

Springfield
Nominal: $40,649
CoL Index: 88.585
Adjusted: $45,887
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 Springfield 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 Springfield grew 40.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 27.9% growth in St. Louis over the same period.

Springfield, MO

+40.0%

$27,530 (2019) → $38,530 (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: Springfield or St. Louis?

St. Louis has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $47,327/year, compared to Springfield at $40,649/year — a difference of $6,678 (16.43%).

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

Springfield veterinary technologist and technicians earn $19.54/hr while St. Louis hygienists earn $22.76/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Springfield and St. Louis. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Springfield = $45,887, St. Louis = $49,772), job availability (130 vs 1,000 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $31,650 in Springfield 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