Vet Tech salary

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

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

San Diego, CA
$63,595
$30.57/hr
San Ramon, CA
$62,556
$30.08/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Diego, CASan Ramon, CA
Median Salary$63,595$62,556
Hourly Rate$30.57$30.08
Entry Level (P10)$51,948$45,775
25th Percentile$57,592$49,875
75th Percentile$66,402$75,783
Top Earner (P90)$78,724$82,081
Total Employed1,33019
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Diego ($63,595) and San Ramon ($62,556) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.San DiegoSan RamonMedian Salary$63,595$62,556Entry Level (P10)$51,948$45,775Top Earner (P90)$78,724$82,081US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between San Diego and San Ramon is $1,039 (1.66%). San Diego's median is +27.23% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in San Diego spans $26,776,San Ramon spans $36,306. San Ramon has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

San Diego
P10 (Entry)$51,948
P25$57,592
Median$63,595
P75$66,402
P90 (Top)$78,724
San Ramon
P10 (Entry)$45,775
P25$49,875
Median$62,556
P75$75,783
P90 (Top)$82,081

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Diego ($56,839 effective) pays 2.76% more than San Ramon ($55,310 effective).

San Diego
Nominal: $63,595
CoL Index: 111.887
Adjusted: $56,839
San Ramon
Nominal: $62,556
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $55,310

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose San Diego if…

  • Higher median salary ($63,595/year)
  • Larger job market (1,330 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $56,839)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose San Ramon if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($82,081)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinary technologist and technician salaries in San Diego grew 34.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 0.9% growth in San Ramon over the same period.

San Diego, CA

+34.8%

$44,720 (2019) → $60,280 (2025)

San Ramon, CA

+0.9%

$58,748 (2024) → $59,295 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

San Diego has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $63,595/year, compared to San Ramon at $62,556/year — a difference of $1,039 (1.66%).

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

San Diego veterinary technologist and technicians earn $30.57/hr while San Ramon hygienists earn $30.08/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Diego and San Ramon. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Diego = $56,839, San Ramon = $55,310), job availability (1,330 vs 19 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $51,948 in San Diego and $45,775 in San Ramon. 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