Vet Tech salary

Inglewood vs San Diego: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Inglewood, CA and San Diego, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Inglewood, CA
$63,901
$30.72/hr
San Diego, CA
$63,595
$30.57/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricInglewood, CASan Diego, CA
Median Salary$63,901$63,595
Hourly Rate$30.72$30.57
Entry Level (P10)$45,971$51,948
25th Percentile$50,543$57,592
75th Percentile$76,770$66,402
Top Earner (P90)$89,997$78,724
Total Employed211,330
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Inglewood ($63,901) and San Diego ($63,595) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.InglewoodSan DiegoMedian Salary$63,901$63,595Entry Level (P10)$45,971$51,948Top Earner (P90)$89,997$78,724US Median $49,986

Verdict

Inglewood, CA offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to San Diego.

The salary gap between Inglewood and San Diego is $306 (0.48%). Inglewood's median is +27.84% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Inglewood spans $44,026,San Diego spans $26,776. Inglewood has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Inglewood
P10 (Entry)$45,971
P25$50,543
Median$63,901
P75$76,770
P90 (Top)$89,997
San Diego
P10 (Entry)$51,948
P25$57,592
Median$63,595
P75$66,402
P90 (Top)$78,724

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Diego ($56,839 effective) pays 0.60% more than Inglewood ($56,500 effective).

Inglewood
Nominal: $63,901
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $56,500
San Diego
Nominal: $63,595
CoL Index: 111.887
Adjusted: $56,839

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Inglewood if…

  • Higher median salary ($63,901/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($89,997)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose San Diego if…

  • Larger job market (1,330 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $56,839)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Inglewood grew 0.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 34.8% growth in San Diego over the same period.

Inglewood, CA

+0.9%

$60,011 (2024) → $60,570 (2025)

San Diego, CA

+34.8%

$44,720 (2019) → $60,280 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Inglewood or San Diego?

Inglewood has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $63,901/year, compared to San Diego at $63,595/year — a difference of $306 (0.48%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Inglewood and San Diego?

Inglewood veterinary technologist and technicians earn $30.72/hr while San Diego hygienists earn $30.57/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Inglewood to San Diego as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Inglewood and San Diego. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Inglewood = $56,500, San Diego = $56,839), job availability (21 vs 1,330 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Inglewood vs San Diego?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $45,971 in Inglewood and $51,948 in San Diego. The San Diego 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