Vet Tech salary

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

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

Los Angeles, CA
$64,007
$30.77/hr
Upland, CA
$60,562
$29.12/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLos Angeles, CAUpland, CA
Median Salary$64,007$60,562
Hourly Rate$30.77$29.12
Entry Level (P10)$51,062$45,796
25th Percentile$54,069$49,582
75th Percentile$66,423$74,571
Top Earner (P90)$80,591$81,780
Total Employed3,64018
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Los Angeles ($64,007) and Upland ($60,562) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.Los AngelesUplandMedian Salary$64,007$60,562Entry Level (P10)$51,062$45,796Top Earner (P90)$80,591$81,780US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Los Angeles and Upland is $3,445 (5.69%). 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,Upland spans $35,984. Upland 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
Upland
P10 (Entry)$45,796
P25$49,582
Median$60,562
P75$74,571
P90 (Top)$81,780

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Los Angeles ($56,361 effective) pays 5.25% more than Upland ($53,547 effective).

Los Angeles
Nominal: $64,007
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $56,361
Upland
Nominal: $60,562
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $53,547

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 Upland if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($81,780)
  • 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 Upland over the same period.

Los Angeles, CA

+33.6%

$45,420 (2019) → $60,670 (2025)

Upland, CA

+0.9%

$56,875 (2024) → $57,405 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Los Angeles has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $64,007/year, compared to Upland at $60,562/year — a difference of $3,445 (5.69%).

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

Los Angeles veterinary technologist and technicians earn $30.77/hr while Upland hygienists earn $29.12/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Los Angeles and Upland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Los Angeles = $56,361, Upland = $53,547), job availability (3,640 vs 18 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $51,062 in Los Angeles and $45,796 in Upland. 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