Veterinary Technologists and Technicians salary in California
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in California earn a median of $60,630 a year ($29.15 an hour), based on BLS data for 11,310 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,860 for the top 10%. That is 28% higher than the national median of $47,380. California ranks 2nd of 51 states for veterinary technologists and technicians pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.62 veterinary technologists and technicians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.75). The average (mean) salary is $61,400, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for veterinary technologists and technicians in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,240 | $23.19 |
| 25th percentile | $51,570 | $24.79 |
| Median | $60,630 | $29.15 |
| 75th percentile | $64,100 | $30.82 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $75,860 | $36.47 |
| Average (mean) | $61,400 | $29.52 |
Half of veterinary technologists and technicians earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,052.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,526.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,331.92 |
| Weekly | $1,165.96 |
| Hourly | $29.15 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $71,090 | 1,220 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $67,280 | 470 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $62,810 | 150 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $61,940 | 250 |
| Salinas, CA | $61,330 | 130 |
| Vallejo, CA | $61,230 | 110 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $60,970 | 1,010 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $60,670 | 3,640 |
| Napa, CA | $60,410 | 30 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $60,410 | 390 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $60,280 | 1,330 |
| Modesto, CA | $59,360 | 140 |
| Chico, CA | $59,300 | 70 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $58,690 | 120 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $58,510 | 910 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $58,490 | 160 |
| Yuba City, CA | $58,310 | 40 |
| Fresno, CA | $58,080 | 220 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $56,010 | 140 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $55,730 | 120 |
| Redding, CA | $51,410 | 60 |
| Merced, CA | $50,420 | 40 |
| Visalia, CA | $47,350 | 60 |
Highest-paying states for veterinary technologists and technicians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $61,270 |
| California | $60,630 |
| Washington | $59,740 |
| New York | $59,010 |
| Minnesota | $57,270 |
| Oregon | $55,810 |
| Virginia | $52,090 |
| Connecticut | $50,950 |
| Maine | $50,810 |
| Nevada | $50,250 |
See Veterinary Technologists and Technicians pay in every state.
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $79,750 | $38.34 |
| Pharmacy Technician | $55,110 | $26.50 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $76,010 | $36.54 |
| Health Technologists and Technicians, All Other | $60,390 | $29.03 |
| Emergency Medical Technician | $46,380 | $22.30 |
| Radiologic Technologists and Technicians | $121,260 | $58.30 |
| Medical Records Specialist | $61,810 | $29.71 |
| Psychiatric Technician | $49,140 | $23.62 |
| Surgical Technologist | $81,310 | $39.09 |
| Diagnostic Medical Sonographer | $128,530 | $61.79 |
| Opticians, Dispensing | $57,990 | $27.88 |
| Dietetic Technician | $46,410 | $22.31 |
| Cardiovascular Technologists and Technicians | $78,170 | $37.58 |
| Paramedic | $74,590 | $35.86 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in California
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-2056. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a veterinary technologists and technicians make in California?
The median salary for veterinary technologists and technicians in California is $60,630 a year, or $29.15 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,240 for the lowest-paid 10% to $75,860 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid veterinary technologists and technicians make in California?
The top 10% of veterinary technologists and technicians in California earn at least $75,860 a year. The top 25% earn $64,100 or more.
What is the starting pay for veterinary technologists and technicians in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,240 a year, and a quarter of veterinary technologists and technicians earn $51,570 or less.
How many veterinary technologists and technicians work in California?
About 11,310 veterinary technologists and technicians are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.