Vet Tech salary

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

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

Los Angeles, CA
$64,007
$30.77/hr
Newport Beach, CA
$61,262
$29.46/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLos Angeles, CANewport Beach, CA
Median Salary$64,007$61,262
Hourly Rate$30.77$29.46
Entry Level (P10)$51,062$47,682
25th Percentile$54,069$50,984
75th Percentile$66,423$74,920
Top Earner (P90)$80,591$81,872
Total Employed3,64012
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Los Angeles ($64,007) and Newport Beach ($61,262) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.Los AngelesNewport BeachMedian Salary$64,007$61,262Entry Level (P10)$51,062$47,682Top Earner (P90)$80,591$81,872US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Los Angeles and Newport Beach is $2,745 (4.48%). 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,Newport Beach spans $34,190. Newport Beach has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$51,062
P25$54,069
Median$64,007
P75$66,423
P90 (Top)$80,591
Newport Beach
P10 (Entry)$47,682
P25$50,984
Median$61,262
P75$74,920
P90 (Top)$81,872

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Los Angeles ($56,361 effective) pays 4.05% more than Newport Beach ($54,166 effective).

Los Angeles
Nominal: $64,007
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $56,361
Newport Beach
Nominal: $61,262
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $54,166

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)
  • Larger job market (3,640 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $56,361)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Newport Beach if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($81,872)
  • 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 0.9% growth in Newport Beach over the same period.

Los Angeles, CA

+33.6%

$45,420 (2019) → $60,670 (2025)

Newport Beach, CA

+0.9%

$57,532 (2024) → $58,068 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Los Angeles has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $64,007/year, compared to Newport Beach at $61,262/year — a difference of $2,745 (4.48%).

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

Los Angeles veterinary technologist and technicians earn $30.77/hr while Newport Beach hygienists earn $29.46/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Los Angeles and Newport Beach. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Los Angeles = $56,361, Newport Beach = $54,166), job availability (3,640 vs 12 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $51,062 in Los Angeles and $47,682 in Newport Beach. 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