Vet Tech salary

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

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

San Francisco, CA
$75,000
$36.06/hr
Tulare, CA
$63,270
$30.42/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Francisco, CATulare, CA
Median Salary$75,000$63,270
Hourly Rate$36.06$30.42
Entry Level (P10)$57,054$47,399
25th Percentile$64,038$51,319
75th Percentile$78,513$76,089
Top Earner (P90)$84,326$82,168
Total Employed1,22017
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Francisco ($75,000) and Tulare ($63,270) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.San FranciscoTulareMedian Salary$75,000$63,270Entry Level (P10)$57,054$47,399Top Earner (P90)$84,326$82,168US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between San Francisco and Tulare is $11,730 (18.54%). 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,Tulare spans $34,769. Tulare 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
Tulare
P10 (Entry)$47,399
P25$51,319
Median$63,270
P75$76,089
P90 (Top)$82,168

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($64,872 effective) pays 15.96% more than Tulare ($55,942 effective).

San Francisco
Nominal: $75,000
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $64,872
Tulare
Nominal: $63,270
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $55,942

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)
  • Better top-earner potential ($84,326)
  • Larger job market (1,220 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $64,872)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Tulare if…

  • 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 Tulare over the same period.

San Francisco, CA

+55.0%

$45,870 (2019) → $71,090 (2025)

Tulare, CA

+0.9%

$59,419 (2024) → $59,972 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

San Francisco has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $75,000/year, compared to Tulare at $63,270/year — a difference of $11,730 (18.54%).

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

San Francisco veterinary technologist and technicians earn $36.06/hr while Tulare hygienists earn $30.42/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Francisco and Tulare. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Francisco = $64,872, Tulare = $55,942), job availability (1,220 vs 17 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $57,054 in San Francisco and $47,399 in Tulare. 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