Vet Tech salary

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

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

San Francisco, CA
$75,000
$36.06/hr
Upland, CA
$60,562
$29.12/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Francisco, CAUpland, CA
Median Salary$75,000$60,562
Hourly Rate$36.06$29.12
Entry Level (P10)$57,054$45,796
25th Percentile$64,038$49,582
75th Percentile$78,513$74,571
Top Earner (P90)$84,326$81,780
Total Employed1,22018
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Francisco ($75,000) and Upland ($60,562) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.San FranciscoUplandMedian Salary$75,000$60,562Entry Level (P10)$57,054$45,796Top Earner (P90)$84,326$81,780US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between San Francisco and Upland is $14,438 (23.84%). 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,Upland spans $35,984. Upland 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
Upland
P10 (Entry)$45,796
P25$49,582
Median$60,562
P75$74,571
P90 (Top)$81,780

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($64,872 effective) pays 21.15% more than Upland ($53,547 effective).

San Francisco
Nominal: $75,000
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $64,872
Upland
Nominal: $60,562
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $53,547

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 Upland 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 Upland over the same period.

San Francisco, CA

+55.0%

$45,870 (2019) → $71,090 (2025)

Upland, CA

+0.9%

$56,875 (2024) → $57,405 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

San Francisco has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $75,000/year, compared to Upland at $60,562/year — a difference of $14,438 (23.84%).

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

San Francisco veterinary technologist and technicians earn $36.06/hr while Upland hygienists earn $29.12/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Francisco and Upland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Francisco = $64,872, Upland = $53,547), job availability (1,220 vs 18 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $57,054 in San Francisco and $45,796 in Upland. 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