Vet Tech salary

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

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

Los Angeles, CA
$64,007
$30.77/hr
Orange, CA
$61,690
$29.66/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLos Angeles, CAOrange, CA
Median Salary$64,007$61,690
Hourly Rate$30.77$29.66
Entry Level (P10)$51,062$45,836
25th Percentile$54,069$48,558
75th Percentile$66,423$75,237
Top Earner (P90)$80,591$82,483
Total Employed3,64021
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Los Angeles ($64,007) and Orange ($61,690) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.Los AngelesOrangeMedian Salary$64,007$61,690Entry Level (P10)$51,062$45,836Top Earner (P90)$80,591$82,483US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Los Angeles and Orange is $2,317 (3.76%). 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,Orange spans $36,647. Orange 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
Orange
P10 (Entry)$45,836
P25$48,558
Median$61,690
P75$75,237
P90 (Top)$82,483

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Los Angeles ($56,361 effective) pays 3.33% more than Orange ($54,545 effective).

Los Angeles
Nominal: $64,007
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $56,361
Orange
Nominal: $61,690
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $54,545

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 Orange if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($82,483)
  • 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 Orange over the same period.

Los Angeles, CA

+33.6%

$45,420 (2019) → $60,670 (2025)

Orange, CA

+0.9%

$57,934 (2024) → $58,474 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Los Angeles has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $64,007/year, compared to Orange at $61,690/year — a difference of $2,317 (3.76%).

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

Los Angeles veterinary technologist and technicians earn $30.77/hr while Orange hygienists earn $29.66/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Los Angeles and Orange. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Los Angeles = $56,361, Orange = $54,545), job availability (3,640 vs 21 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $51,062 in Los Angeles and $45,836 in Orange. 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