Vet Tech salary

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

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

St. Louis, MO
$47,327
$22.76/hr
Wildwood, MO
$42,032
$20.20/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSt. Louis, MOWildwood, MO
Median Salary$47,327$42,032
Hourly Rate$22.76$20.20
Entry Level (P10)$36,798$32,617
25th Percentile$40,892$34,732
75th Percentile$49,406$49,889
Top Earner (P90)$53,773$53,125
Total Employed1,0005
Side-by-side bar chart comparing St. Louis ($47,327) and Wildwood ($42,032) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.St. LouisWildwoodMedian Salary$47,327$42,032Entry Level (P10)$36,798$32,617Top Earner (P90)$53,773$53,125US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between St. Louis and Wildwood is $5,295 (12.60%). 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 St. Louis spans $16,975,Wildwood spans $20,508. Wildwood has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

St. Louis
P10 (Entry)$36,798
P25$40,892
Median$47,327
P75$49,406
P90 (Top)$53,773
Wildwood
P10 (Entry)$32,617
P25$34,732
Median$42,032
P75$49,889
P90 (Top)$53,125

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, St. Louis ($49,772 effective) pays 6.10% more than Wildwood ($46,911 effective).

St. Louis
Nominal: $47,327
CoL Index: 95.088
Adjusted: $49,772
Wildwood
Nominal: $42,032
CoL Index: 89.6
Adjusted: $46,911

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose Wildwood if…

  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in St. Louis grew 27.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 31.8% growth in Wildwood over the same period.

St. Louis, MO

+27.9%

$35,070 (2019) → $44,860 (2025)

Wildwood, MO

+31.8%

$30,222 (2024) → $39,841 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

St. Louis has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $47,327/year, compared to Wildwood at $42,032/year — a difference of $5,295 (12.60%).

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

St. Louis veterinary technologist and technicians earn $22.76/hr while Wildwood hygienists earn $20.20/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing St. Louis and Wildwood. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: St. Louis = $49,772, Wildwood = $46,911), job availability (1,000 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $36,798 in St. Louis and $32,617 in Wildwood. 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