Vet Tech salary

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

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

Long Beach, CA
$64,219
$30.87/hr
Los Angeles, CA
$64,007
$30.77/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLong Beach, CALos Angeles, CA
Median Salary$64,219$64,007
Hourly Rate$30.87$30.77
Entry Level (P10)$44,198$51,062
25th Percentile$53,300$54,069
75th Percentile$81,777$66,423
Top Earner (P90)$91,993$80,591
Total Employed893,640
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Long Beach ($64,219) and Los Angeles ($64,007) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.Long BeachLos AngelesMedian Salary$64,219$64,007Entry Level (P10)$44,198$51,062Top Earner (P90)$91,993$80,591US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Long Beach and Los Angeles is $212 (0.33%). Long Beach's median is +28.47% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Long Beach spans $47,795,Los Angeles spans $29,529. Long Beach has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Long Beach
P10 (Entry)$44,198
P25$53,300
Median$64,219
P75$81,777
P90 (Top)$91,993
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, Long Beach ($56,781 effective) pays 0.74% more than Los Angeles ($56,361 effective).

Long Beach
Nominal: $64,219
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $56,781
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 Long Beach if…

  • Higher median salary ($64,219/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($91,993)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $56,781)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Larger job market (3,640 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Long Beach grew -1.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 33.6% growth in Los Angeles over the same period.

Long Beach, CA

+-1.8%

$61,958 (2024) → $60,871 (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: Long Beach or Los Angeles?

Long Beach has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $64,219/year, compared to Los Angeles at $64,007/year — a difference of $212 (0.33%).

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

Long Beach veterinary technologist and technicians earn $30.87/hr while Los Angeles hygienists earn $30.77/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Long Beach and Los Angeles. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Long Beach = $56,781, Los Angeles = $56,361), job availability (89 vs 3,640 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $44,198 in Long 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