Vet Tech salary

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

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

San Francisco, CA
$75,000
$36.06/hr
Yuba City, CA
$61,517
$29.58/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Francisco, CAYuba City, CA
Median Salary$75,000$61,517
Hourly Rate$36.06$29.58
Entry Level (P10)$57,054$49,891
25th Percentile$64,038$51,030
75th Percentile$78,513$64,587
Top Earner (P90)$84,326$65,262
Total Employed1,22040
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Francisco ($75,000) and Yuba City ($61,517) veterinary technologist and technician salaries.San FranciscoYuba CityMedian Salary$75,000$61,517Entry Level (P10)$57,054$49,891Top Earner (P90)$84,326$65,262US Median $49,986

Verdict

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

The salary gap between San Francisco and Yuba City is $13,483 (21.92%). 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,Yuba City spans $15,371. San Francisco has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

San Francisco
P10 (Entry)$57,054
P25$64,038
Median$75,000
P75$78,513
P90 (Top)$84,326
Yuba City
P10 (Entry)$49,891
P25$51,030
Median$61,517
P75$64,587
P90 (Top)$65,262

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($64,872 effective) pays 9.92% more than Yuba City ($59,019 effective).

San Francisco
Nominal: $75,000
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $64,872
Yuba City
Nominal: $61,517
CoL Index: 104.233
Adjusted: $59,019

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 Yuba City 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 19.9% growth in Yuba City over the same period.

San Francisco, CA

+55.0%

$45,870 (2019) → $71,090 (2025)

Yuba City, CA

+19.9%

$48,630 (2024) → $58,310 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

San Francisco has a higher median veterinary technologist and technician salary at $75,000/year, compared to Yuba City at $61,517/year — a difference of $13,483 (21.92%).

What is the hourly rate difference between San Francisco and Yuba City?

San Francisco veterinary technologist and technicians earn $36.06/hr while Yuba City hygienists earn $29.58/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Francisco and Yuba City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Francisco = $64,872, Yuba City = $59,019), job availability (1,220 vs 40 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinary technologist and technicians earn $57,054 in San Francisco and $49,891 in Yuba City. 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