Vet Tech salary

Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in St. Clair Shores, MI: $51,945 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in St. Clair Shores, MI earns a median $51,945/year (≈ $24.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in St. Clair Shores's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $55,735 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Michigan state average.

$51,945
Median Annual Salary
$24.97/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$40,032
Entry Level (P10)
$71,084
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in St. Clair Shores, MI — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
St. Clair Shores, MI veterinary technologist and technician salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In St. Clair Shores, MI, the anticipated salary for veterinary technologists and technicians in 2026 stands at $51,945 annually, reflecting a competitive market influenced by corporate pay scales. With salaries ranging from $40,032 at the 10th percentile to $71,084 at the 90th percentile, these figures indicate a robust earnings potential in the local veterinary field. This estimate, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted to account for regional cost variations, highlights the advantage of corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl, which offer structured salary increments based on experience and specialization. As veterinary technologists and technicians navigate their careers in St. Clair Shores, understanding these compensation dynamics is essential for securing positions that align with their financial and professional goals.

About the St. Clair Shores Market

Salary estimated from Michigan average ($38,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$40,032$19.24
Lower Range (P25)$43,090$20.72
Median (P50)(typical)$51,945$24.97
Upper Range (P75)$64,524$31.02
Top Earners (P90)$71,084$34.17

Median Salary Position

$40,032$71,084
City Median: $51,945
National: $49,986
P10–P90 Range

3.92% above the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in St. Clair Shores

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for veterinary technologist and technicians in St. Clair Shores. The median salary is $51,945, compared to the national median of $49,986.$36.0K$45.7K$55.3K$65.0K$74.6K$40.0K10th Pctl$43.1K25th Pctl$51.9KMedian$64.5K75th Pctl$71.1K90th PctlUS Median$50.0K

In St. Clair Shores, MI, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,052 (2026 est.). At $51,945, the local median is 3.92% above the national median of $49,986.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of veterinary technologist and technician pay in the St. Clair Shores metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$999
per week
$4,328
per month
$51,941
per year

At 40 hours/week in St. Clair Shores: You'd be in the lower-middle range

How St. Clair Shores Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares

St. Clair Shores median: $51,945/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalarySt. Clair Shores Pays
Michigan Average$52,259-0.60% less
National Average$49,986+3.92% more
Horizontal bar chart comparing veterinary technologist and technician median salary in St. Clair Shores ($51,945) with Michigan average ($52,259) and the US national median ($49,986).St. Clair Shores$51,945Michigan Avg$52,259-0.60%US National$49,986+3.92%

Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in St. Clair Shores, MI earn a median of $51,945 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.92% higher than the national median of $49,986 and 0.60% below the Michigan state average of $52,259.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$51,945
Nominal Salary
93.2
CoL Index
$55,735
Adjusted Salary

St. Clair Shores has a cost of living 6.80% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.

Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $51,945. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 93.2, the purchasing-power equivalent is $55,735, a gain of $3,790.$42.5K$47.9K$53.3K$58.7K$64.1K$51,945NominalSalary$55,735CoL Adjusted(CoL: 93.2) 7.30%US Median $50.0K

St. Clair Shores, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A veterinary technologist and technician earning $51,945 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $55,735 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.

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2019 BLS Actual

$36,704

2025 BLS Actual

$49,237

2026 Current Est.

$51,945

2019–2027 Growth

+49.3%

Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in St. Clair Shores (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for veterinary technologists and technicians in St. Clair Shores. Baseline $36,704 in 2025, projected to $54,802 by 2027.$31.3K$38.1K$45.0K$51.9K$58.7K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$36.7K$37.7K$38.3K$39.7K$45.5K$35.2K$49.2K$51.9K$54.8K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$36,704Actual
2020$37,681Actual
2021$38,294Actual
2022$39,739Actual
2023$45,454Actual
2024$35,206Actual
2025$49,237Actual
2026(current)$51,945Estimated
2027$54,802Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the St. Clair Shores metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 34.1% from $36,704 (2019) to $49,237 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,802 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,098 (49.31%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the St. Clair Shores metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.50% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.

Salary by Experience Level

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$40,032$43,090
3-5 years (Mid Career)$43,090$51,945
5+ years (Experienced)$51,945$64,524
10+ years (Top Earner)$64,524$71,084

Vet Tech salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinary technologist and technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

Veterinary Technologist and Technician Job Market in St. Clair Shores

The job market for veterinary technologists and technicians in St. Clair Shores currently employs 13 professionals, highlighting the niche yet vital nature of this sector within the community. With a cost-of-living index at 93.2, the local economics provide a favorable backdrop for sustaining purchasing power, making the median salary a solid foundation for lifestyle maintenance. Corporate establishments such as VCA and BluePearl typically offer higher wages, especially compared to general practice clinics, where advancements can be limited. Differences in compensation are driven by credentials, such as the VTS specialty, which commands premium pay, and unique shifts at specialty referral hospitals that provide additional pay opportunities. To maximize earnings, techs should pursue specialty certification paths and seek positions at corporate chains or specialty facilities that recognize and reward skillsets through salary differentials and leadership roles.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do veterinary technologists and technicians make in St. Clair Shores, MI in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median veterinary technologist and technician salary in St. Clair Shores is $51,945/year ($24.97/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 5.50% annual growth). Salaries range from $40,032 at entry level (10th percentile) to $71,084 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts St. Clair Shores at 3.9% above the national median. Full-time veterinary technologists and technicians typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is St. Clair Shores, MI a good place to work as a veterinary technologist and technician?

St. Clair Shores veterinary technologist and technician salaries are 3.9% above the national average and 0.6% below the Michigan state average. The metro area employs approximately 13 veterinary technologists and technicians. With a cost-of-living index of 93.2, your salary stretches further here than in higher-cost metros. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can veterinary technologists and technicians make $100K in St. Clair Shores?

The median veterinary technologist and technician salary in St. Clair Shores is $51,945, and the 90th percentile earns $71,084. Reaching $100K in this market typically requires a combination of advanced certifications, working at multiple practices, or transitioning into education or consulting roles.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted veterinary technologist and technician salary in St. Clair Shores?

After adjusting for St. Clair Shores's cost-of-living index of 93.2 (where 100 equals the national average), the $51,945 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $55,735 in an average-cost city. This means your dollar goes 7.3% further in St. Clair Shores compared to the national average, making it an attractive location for veterinary technologists and technicians seeking strong real wages.

How much does a veterinary technologist and technician make per hour in St. Clair Shores?

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in St. Clair Shores earn a median hourly rate of $24.97, which translates to approximately $51,945/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $19.24 for entry-level positions to $34.17 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem veterinary technologists and technicians sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

Related Pages

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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

Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $49,237 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the St. Clair Shores metropolitan area. A 5.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.

Data Sources & Methodology

Salary data for St. Clair Shores is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.50%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for veterinary technologist and technicians (SOC 29-2056).

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

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