Vet Tech salary

Pomona vs San Diego: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

Compare veterinary technologist and technician salaries between Pomona, CA and San Diego, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Pomona, CA
$64,736
$31.12/hr
San Diego, CA
$63,595
$30.57/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPomona, CASan Diego, CA
Median Salary$64,736$63,595
Hourly Rate$31.12$30.57
Entry Level (P10)$47,651$51,948
25th Percentile$52,218$57,592
75th Percentile$78,807$66,402
Top Earner (P90)$86,312$78,724
Total Employed361,330
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Pomona ($64,736) and San Diego ($63,595) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.PomonaSan DiegoMedian Salary$64,736$63,595Entry Level (P10)$47,651$51,948Top Earner (P90)$86,312$78,724US Median $49,986

Verdict

Pomona, CA offers better overall compensation for veterinary technologists and technicians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to San Diego.

The salary gap between Pomona and San Diego is $1,141 (1.79%). Pomona's median is +29.51% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Pomona spans $38,661,San Diego spans $26,776. Pomona has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Pomona
P10 (Entry)$47,651
P25$52,218
Median$64,736
P75$78,807
P90 (Top)$86,312
San Diego
P10 (Entry)$51,948
P25$57,592
Median$63,595
P75$66,402
P90 (Top)$78,724

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Pomona ($57,238 effective) pays 0.70% more than San Diego ($56,839 effective).

Pomona
Nominal: $64,736
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $57,238
San Diego
Nominal: $63,595
CoL Index: 111.887
Adjusted: $56,839

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Pomona if…

  • Higher median salary ($64,736/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($86,312)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $57,238)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose San Diego if…

  • Larger job market (1,330 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in Pomona grew 0.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 34.8% growth in San Diego over the same period.

Pomona, CA

+0.9%

$60,795 (2024) → $61,361 (2025)

San Diego, CA

+34.8%

$44,720 (2019) → $60,280 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: Pomona or San Diego?

Pomona has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $64,736/year, compared to San Diego at $63,595/year — a difference of $1,141 (1.79%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Pomona and San Diego?

Pomona veterinary technologist and technicians earn $31.12/hr while San Diego hygienists earn $30.57/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Pomona to San Diego as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Pomona and San Diego. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Pomona = $57,238, San Diego = $56,839), job availability (36 vs 1,330 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in Pomona vs San Diego?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $47,651 in Pomona and $51,948 in San Diego. The San Diego 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