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Veterinary Technology Degree in Joliet, IL — Salary & ROI 2026

Veterinary Technology degree analysis for Joliet, IL. COL-adjusted salary data, local tuition costs, ROI calculator, and job market outlook.

Starting Salary

$54K

COL-adjusted

Mid-Career

$52K

COL-adjusted

ROI Payback

5.4 yrs

in Joliet

Cost of Living

108

index (100 = avg)

Veterinary Technology in Joliet, IL Overview

Joliet, Illinois (pop. 150,362) has 12 colleges offering Veterinary Technology programs. The local cost of living index of 108 is near the national average, with average rent near campus at $880/month. Veterinary Technology has seen growing enrollment nationally, reflecting rising employer demand for Animal Handling and Lab Diagnostics skills. The adjusted starting salary in Joliet is approximately $54,000.

Category

Agriculture

Local Colleges

12

Public Tuition

$8,958/yr

Private Tuition

$36,980/yr

Room & Board

$13,014/yr

Avg Fin. Aid

$7,482/yr

Unemployment

4.2%

Graduation Rate

70%

Veterinary Technology Salary in Joliet (COL-Adjusted)

Salaries adjusted for Joliet's cost of living index of 108 (national average = 100).

Entry Level (0-2 yrs)
$54,000(+$4,000 vs national)
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
$51,840(+$3,840 vs national)
Senior Level (15+ yrs)
$59,400(+$4,400 vs national)

Note: National average Veterinary Technology salary: $50,000 starting, $48,000 mid-career, $55,000 senior level.Joliet adjustment factor: 1.08x based on the local cost of living index.

Veterinary Technology ROI Calculator for Joliet

Estimate your return on investment for a Veterinary Technology degree using local Joliet tuition and cost of living data.

Public avg: $8,958 | Private avg: $36,980

Joliet avg aid: $7,482/yr

Federal avg: 6.5% | Private: 4-14%

Total Education Cost

$87,888

tuition + room & board - aid

Annual Earnings Premium

$16,200

vs HS diploma in Joliet

ROI Payback Period

5.4 years

to break even

Lifetime Return in Joliet

$128,112

Lifetime earnings premium ($216,000) minus total education cost ($87,888)

Student Loan Payoff for Veterinary Technology in Joliet

Standard Plan (10 years)

Loan Amount$87,888
Monthly Payment$998
Total Interest$31,866
% of Monthly Income22%

Aggressive Plan (5 years)

Loan Amount$87,888
Monthly Payment$1,720
Total Interest$15,290
Interest Savings$16,576

Colleges in Joliet for Veterinary Technology

University of St. Francis

private

$36,980/yr

$147,920 total

Community Colleges (2-Year Transfer)

Joliet Junior College

$4,980/yr

Top Employers for Veterinary Technology in Joliet

Joliet offers opportunities in Agribusiness, Government agencies, Research institutes for Veterinary Technology graduates. National top employers in this field include:

Veterinary ClinicsAnimal HospitalsResearch LabsZoosPharmaceutical Companies

Key Joliet Hiring Sectors for Agriculture

Agribusiness

Government agencies

Research institutes

Food companies

Conservation orgs

Common Veterinary Technology Job Titles

Veterinary TechnicianAnimal Hospital ManagerResearch Technician

Veterinary Technology Degree in Joliet — FAQ

Data Sources: Salary data from BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook. Cost of living from BLS Regional Data. College data from NCES/IPEDS. Updated March 2026.

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