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 level | Annual salary | Hourly 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:
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians salary in other states
District of Columbia $61,270Washington $59,740New York $59,010Minnesota $57,270Oregon $55,810Virginia $52,090Connecticut $50,950Maine $50,810Nevada $50,250Michigan $49,710Colorado $49,650Massachusetts $49,540Vermont $49,490New Jersey $49,050North Dakota $48,790New Hampshire $48,780Indiana $48,720Hawaii $48,550Delaware $48,370Ohio $47,990North Carolina $47,620Maryland $47,350Wisconsin $47,020Alaska $46,480Illinois $46,440Pennsylvania $46,430Florida $46,380Arizona $46,300Kansas $45,810Iowa $45,560Rhode Island $45,310South Dakota $45,300New Mexico $44,790Nebraska $43,680Missouri $43,520Georgia $43,060Tennessee $42,810Idaho $42,120Montana $41,170Utah $40,560Kentucky $39,590Texas $39,410Oklahoma $39,100South Carolina $39,020Wyoming $38,650Arkansas $38,360West Virginia $37,700Alabama $36,590Mississippi $36,380Louisiana $35,530
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.