Vet Tech salary

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

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

San Diego, CA
$63,595
$30.57/hr
Victorville, CA
$61,675
$29.66/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Diego, CAVictorville, CA
Median Salary$63,595$61,675
Hourly Rate$30.57$29.66
Entry Level (P10)$51,948$45,801
25th Percentile$57,592$48,530
75th Percentile$66,402$75,297
Top Earner (P90)$78,724$82,272
Total Employed1,33030
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Diego ($63,595) and Victorville ($61,675) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.San DiegoVictorvilleMedian Salary$63,595$61,675Entry Level (P10)$51,948$45,801Top Earner (P90)$78,724$82,272US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between San Diego and Victorville is $1,920 (3.11%). 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,Victorville spans $36,471. Victorville 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
Victorville
P10 (Entry)$45,801
P25$48,530
Median$61,675
P75$75,297
P90 (Top)$82,272

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Diego ($56,839 effective) pays 4.23% more than Victorville ($54,531 effective).

San Diego
Nominal: $63,595
CoL Index: 111.887
Adjusted: $56,839
Victorville
Nominal: $61,675
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $54,531

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 Victorville if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($82,272)
  • 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 Victorville over the same period.

San Diego, CA

+34.8%

$44,720 (2019) → $60,280 (2025)

Victorville, CA

+0.9%

$57,920 (2024) → $58,460 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

San Diego has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $63,595/year, compared to Victorville at $61,675/year — a difference of $1,920 (3.11%).

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

San Diego veterinary technologist and technicians earn $30.57/hr while Victorville hygienists earn $29.66/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Diego and Victorville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Diego = $56,839, Victorville = $54,531), job availability (1,330 vs 30 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $51,948 in San Diego and $45,801 in Victorville. 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