Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Salary in California (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in California, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
California Median
$60,630
per year
Hourly Rate
$29.15
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+28% vs US median
US median $47,380
State Rank
#2 of 51
11,310 employed here

How much do Veterinary Technologists and Technicians make in California?

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians working in California earn a median salary of $60,630 per year, or about $29.15 per hour. That is 28% above the national median of $47,380 for this occupation.

Within California, entry-level pay starts around $48,240 while the top 10% make $75,860 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $51,570 and $64,100 a year.

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians salary range in California

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$48,240$23.19
25th percentile (early career)$51,570$24.79
50th percentile (median)$60,630$29.15
75th percentile (experienced)$64,100$30.82
90th percentile (top earners)$75,860$36.47

How California compares

California ranks 2nd out of 51 states and territories for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1District of Columbia$61,270
2California$60,630
3Washington$59,740
4New York$59,010
5Minnesota$57,270

Working as Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in California

Nationally, about 129,000 people work as Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.

Considering a move? Compare California pay ($60,630) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Veterinary Technologists and Technicians make in California?
The median Veterinary Technologists and Technicians salary in California is $60,630 per year, or about $29.15 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $48,240 at the entry level to $75,860 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Veterinary Technologists and Technicians about 28% more than the national median of $47,380. California ranks 2nd out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $60,630 a year. About 11,310 Veterinary Technologists and Technicians are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Veterinary Technologists and Technicians salary report

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.