verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Veterinary Technician Salary in California

Median Annual in California
$60,630/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$29.15/hr
▲ 28% above U.S. median

Salary Distribution in California

groups Employed in CA
11,310
public U.S. Median
$47,380
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$54,760 #5 of 51

Veterinary Technician pay in California, explained

Veterinary technicians in California earn a median of $60,630 per year ($29.15 per hour), which is 28% above the national median of $47,380. Entry-level workers earn around $48,240, while the most experienced veterinary technicians reach about $75,860. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within California.

Is $60,630 good pay in California?

Adjusted for California's cost of living (which runs 111% of the U.S. average), that $60,630 is worth about $54,760 in national buying power — ranking California #5 for real pay (vs #2 on the sticker number).

See the full Veterinary Technician Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Veterinary Technician pay by experience in California

Entry level (10th pct)
$48,240
$23.19/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$60,630
$29.15/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$75,860
$36.47/hr

Veterinary Technician pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs CA
California (here) $60,630 $54,760
Oregon $55,810 $53,995 +$4,820
Nevada $50,250 $50,261 +$10,380
Arizona $46,300 $45,989 +$14,330

Veterinary Technician in California: FAQ

How much do veterinary technicians make in California?

Veterinary technicians in California earn a median of $60,630 per year ($29.15 per hour), compared with $47,380 nationally.

Does California pay veterinary technicians well?

At $60,630, California pays 28% above the national median for veterinary technicians. An estimated 11,310 work in the state.

Veterinary Technician salary in other states

All 51 states ranked arrow_forward

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