Vet Tech salary

Huntington Beach vs Los Angeles: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Huntington Beach, CA and Los Angeles, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Huntington Beach, CA
$62,843
$30.22/hr
Los Angeles, CA
$64,007
$30.77/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHuntington Beach, CALos Angeles, CA
Median Salary$62,843$64,007
Hourly Rate$30.22$30.77
Entry Level (P10)$48,427$51,062
25th Percentile$52,191$54,069
75th Percentile$75,662$66,423
Top Earner (P90)$88,537$80,591
Total Employed503,640
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Huntington Beach ($62,843) and Los Angeles ($64,007) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.Huntington BeachLos AngelesMedian Salary$62,843$64,007Entry Level (P10)$48,427$51,062Top Earner (P90)$88,537$80,591US Median $49,986

Verdict

Los Angeles, CA offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Huntington Beach.

The salary gap between Huntington Beach and Los Angeles is $1,164 (1.85%). Los Angeles's median is +28.05% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Huntington Beach spans $40,110,Los Angeles spans $29,529. Huntington Beach has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Huntington Beach
P10 (Entry)$48,427
P25$52,191
Median$62,843
P75$75,662
P90 (Top)$88,537
Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$51,062
P25$54,069
Median$64,007
P75$66,423
P90 (Top)$80,591

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Los Angeles ($56,361 effective) pays 1.43% more than Huntington Beach ($55,564 effective).

Huntington Beach
Nominal: $62,843
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $55,564
Los Angeles
Nominal: $64,007
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $56,361

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Huntington Beach if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($88,537)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Higher median salary ($64,007/year)
  • Larger job market (3,640 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $56,361)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Huntington Beach grew 0.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 33.6% growth in Los Angeles over the same period.

Huntington Beach, CA

+0.9%

$59,018 (2024) → $59,567 (2025)

Los Angeles, CA

+33.6%

$45,420 (2019) → $60,670 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Huntington Beach or Los Angeles?

Los Angeles has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $64,007/year, compared to Huntington Beach at $62,843/year — a difference of $1,164 (1.85%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Huntington Beach and Los Angeles?

Huntington Beach veterinary technologist and technicians earn $30.22/hr while Los Angeles hygienists earn $30.77/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Huntington Beach to Los Angeles as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Huntington Beach and Los Angeles. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Huntington Beach = $55,564, Los Angeles = $56,361), job availability (50 vs 3,640 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Huntington Beach vs Los Angeles?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $48,427 in Huntington Beach and $51,062 in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JL

Written by Jordan Lee, CVT

Career Analyst

Jordan has 10 years of experience in veterinary technology. They specialize in emergency care. Jordan has worked in both clinic and hospital settings.

Clinically reviewed by Sofia Patel, RVTData verified by Mark Chen, LVT

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.50% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, CVT, a licensed veterinary technologist and technician with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov