Vet Tech salary

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

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

Los Angeles, CA
$64,007
$30.77/hr
Simi Valley, CA
$64,701
$31.10/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLos Angeles, CASimi Valley, CA
Median Salary$64,007$64,701
Hourly Rate$30.77$31.10
Entry Level (P10)$51,062$47,764
25th Percentile$54,069$52,147
75th Percentile$66,423$80,202
Top Earner (P90)$80,591$88,430
Total Employed3,64023
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Los Angeles ($64,007) and Simi Valley ($64,701) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.Los AngelesSimi ValleyMedian Salary$64,007$64,701Entry Level (P10)$51,062$47,764Top Earner (P90)$80,591$88,430US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Los Angeles and Simi Valley is $694 (1.08%). Simi Valley's median is +29.44% 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,Simi Valley spans $40,666. Simi Valley 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
Simi Valley
P10 (Entry)$47,764
P25$52,147
Median$64,701
P75$80,202
P90 (Top)$88,430

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Simi Valley ($57,207 effective) pays 1.50% more than Los Angeles ($56,361 effective).

Los Angeles
Nominal: $64,007
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $56,361
Simi Valley
Nominal: $64,701
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $57,207

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Los Angeles if…

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

Choose Simi Valley if…

  • Higher median salary ($64,701/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($88,430)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $57,207)
  • 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 Simi Valley over the same period.

Los Angeles, CA

+33.6%

$45,420 (2019) → $60,670 (2025)

Simi Valley, CA

+0.9%

$60,762 (2024) → $61,328 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Simi Valley has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $64,701/year, compared to Los Angeles at $64,007/year — a difference of $694 (1.08%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Los Angeles and Simi Valley?

Los Angeles veterinary technologist and technicians earn $30.77/hr while Simi Valley hygienists earn $31.10/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Los Angeles and Simi Valley. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Los Angeles = $56,361, Simi Valley = $57,207), job availability (3,640 vs 23 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $51,062 in Los Angeles and $47,764 in Simi Valley. 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