Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Oakley, CA: $29.15 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in Oakley, CA runs $29.15 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,622 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against Oakley's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $25.77 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,379 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Oakley, CA, veterinary technologists and technicians can expect a median hourly pay of $29.15, which surpasses the national median of $24.03 significantly. This robust pay scale supports a diverse range of work setups, including part-time arrangements of three days per week and per-diem opportunities, which are common in settings like general practice clinics, specialty emergency care wards, and animal medical units in zoos or research facilities. Entry-level employees can anticipate earning approximately $21.46 per hour, while top earners may command up to $38.34 per hour, reflecting the varying skill levels and credentials that influence earnings in this profession. Such hourly rates are projected estimates derived from annual salary data and underscore the potential for financial growth and stability for those pursuing careers as veterinary technologists and technicians in the area.
About the Oakley Market
Salary estimated from California average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.46 | $171.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.98 | $199.86 |
| Median (P50) | $29.15 | $233.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.45 | $283.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.34 | $306.71 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Oakley
Based on $29.15/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.15/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Oakley, CA can expect to earn approximately $60,631 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,980. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Oakley.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Oakley
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,165.99 | $5,053 | $60,631 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $699.59 | $3,032 | $36,379 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $466.39 | $2,021 | $24,253 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (Oakley) | $29.15 |
| Veterinary Assistant (National Avg) | $17.99 |
| Veterinarian (National Avg) | $60.38 |
| Animal Care and Service Worker (National Avg) | $15.87 |
| Medical Lab Technician (National Avg) | $28.18 |
Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Oakley, CA earn a median of $60,622 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.28% higher than the national median of $49,986 and 3.20% below the California state average of $62,626.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.15/hr = $36,379/year (purchasing power: $32,165).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,631/year (purchasing power: $53,609).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$20.60/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.63/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.15/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Oakley (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.60/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.15/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.49/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.30/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.51/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.37/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.63/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.15/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.75/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Oakley grew 34.1% from $20.60/hr (2019) to $27.63/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.75/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem veterinary technologists and technicians can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oakley metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.50% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Veterinary Technologist and Technician in Oakley
Considering part-time positions, a veterinary technologist and technician working 24 hours weekly could realistically expect to earn around $34,000 annually, compared to full-time professionals whose earnings could reflect much higher totals. Per-diem workers typically bill between $25 and $40 per hour, with specialty technicians boasting Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) credentials often earning $35 to $55 per hour. In response to workforce shortages, weekend or overnight shifts in emergency settings can yield hourly rates of $30 to $50, depending on demand. Hourly pay can vary significantly based on employer types; for instance, corporate chain hospitals may offer different pay scales compared to specialized facilities or research labs. While some professionals may choose positions that offer lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance, others may prefer the flexibility and higher pay often associated with per diem roles. Overall, negotiating strategies might include leveraging specialized certifications and highlighting experience to secure better hourly rates in the local market.
More salary data for Oakley, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Oakley in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinary technologists and technicians make in Oakley?
Are veterinary technologists and technicians in Oakley paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinary technologist and technician make per year in Oakley?
Do veterinary technologists and technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Oakley?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 5.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for veterinary technologists and technicians in Oakley. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Oakley is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.50%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for veterinary technologist and technicians (SOC 29-2056).
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