Vet Tech salary

San Francisco vs Torrance: Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary (2026)

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

San Francisco, CA
$75,000
$36.06/hr
Torrance, CA
$63,699
$30.63/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Francisco, CATorrance, CA
Median Salary$75,000$63,699
Hourly Rate$36.06$30.63
Entry Level (P10)$57,054$45,249
25th Percentile$64,038$50,140
75th Percentile$78,513$80,139
Top Earner (P90)$84,326$89,295
Total Employed1,22026
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Francisco ($75,000) and Torrance ($63,699) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.San FranciscoTorranceMedian Salary$75,000$63,699Entry Level (P10)$57,054$45,249Top Earner (P90)$84,326$89,295US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between San Francisco and Torrance is $11,301 (17.74%). San Francisco's median is +50.04% compared to the US national median of $49,986.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in San Francisco spans $27,272,Torrance spans $44,046. Torrance has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinary technologist and technicians.

San Francisco
P10 (Entry)$57,054
P25$64,038
Median$75,000
P75$78,513
P90 (Top)$84,326
Torrance
P10 (Entry)$45,249
P25$50,140
Median$63,699
P75$80,139
P90 (Top)$89,295

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($64,872 effective) pays 15.18% more than Torrance ($56,321 effective).

San Francisco
Nominal: $75,000
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $64,872
Torrance
Nominal: $63,699
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $56,321

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose San Francisco if…

  • Higher median salary ($75,000/year)
  • Larger job market (1,220 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $64,872)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Torrance if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($89,295)
  • 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 Francisco grew 55.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 0.9% growth in Torrance over the same period.

San Francisco, CA

+55.0%

$45,870 (2019) → $71,090 (2025)

Torrance, CA

+0.9%

$59,821 (2024) → $60,378 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinary technologist and technicians more: San Francisco or Torrance?

San Francisco has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $75,000/year, compared to Torrance at $63,699/year — a difference of $11,301 (17.74%).

What is the hourly rate difference between San Francisco and Torrance?

San Francisco veterinary technologist and technicians earn $36.06/hr while Torrance hygienists earn $30.63/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from San Francisco to Torrance as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Francisco and Torrance. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Francisco = $64,872, Torrance = $56,321), job availability (1,220 vs 26 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinary technologist and technicians earn in San Francisco vs Torrance?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $57,054 in San Francisco and $45,249 in Torrance. The San Francisco 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