Vet Tech salary

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

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

Los Angeles, CA
$64,007
$30.77/hr
Napa, CA
$63,733
$30.65/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLos Angeles, CANapa, CA
Median Salary$64,007$63,733
Hourly Rate$30.77$30.65
Entry Level (P10)$51,062$48,414
25th Percentile$54,069$54,079
75th Percentile$66,423$67,974
Top Earner (P90)$80,591$77,564
Total Employed3,64030
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Los Angeles ($64,007) and Napa ($63,733) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.Los AngelesNapaMedian Salary$64,007$63,733Entry Level (P10)$51,062$48,414Top Earner (P90)$80,591$77,564US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Los Angeles and Napa is $274 (0.43%). 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 Los Angeles spans $29,529,Napa spans $29,150. Los Angeles has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$51,062
P25$54,069
Median$64,007
P75$66,423
P90 (Top)$80,591
Napa
P10 (Entry)$48,414
P25$54,079
Median$63,733
P75$67,974
P90 (Top)$77,564

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Napa ($56,624 effective) pays 0.47% more than Los Angeles ($56,361 effective).

Los Angeles
Nominal: $64,007
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $56,361
Napa
Nominal: $63,733
CoL Index: 112.554
Adjusted: $56,624

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Higher median salary ($64,007/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($80,591)
  • Larger job market (3,640 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Napa if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $56,624)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Los Angeles grew 33.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 72.4% growth in Napa over the same period.

Los Angeles, CA

+33.6%

$45,420 (2019) → $60,670 (2025)

Napa, CA

+72.4%

$35,050 (2019) → $60,410 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Los Angeles has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $64,007/year, compared to Napa at $63,733/year — a difference of $274 (0.43%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Los Angeles and Napa?

Los Angeles veterinary technologist and technicians earn $30.77/hr while Napa hygienists earn $30.65/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Los Angeles and Napa. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Los Angeles = $56,361, Napa = $56,624), job availability (3,640 vs 30 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $51,062 in Los Angeles and $48,414 in Napa. 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