Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Oxnard, CA: $30.64 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in Oxnard, CA runs $30.64 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,733 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against Oxnard's regional price level (BEA RPP 110.5, 11% above national), each hour of work buys what $27.72 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,235 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Oxnard, California, the veterinary technologist and technician hourly pay is projected at $30.64 in 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $24.03. This difference highlights the local demand for skilled professionals in veterinary care settings such as general practice clinics, specialty hospitals, and teaching institutions. For part-time workers, such as those on a three-day work schedule, the ability to earn this hourly rate translates to a practical income, providing more flexibility in work-life balance. Entry-level technicians can expect to start at $24.12, while experienced professionals may exceed $38.17 per hour, depending on their specialization and workplace. These figures come from official BLS hourly data based on 2025 estimates, projected forward into 2026, emphasizing both the opportunities available and the competitive pay within Oxnard's veterinary sector.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.12 | $192.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.38 | $203.07 |
| Median (P50) | $30.64 | $245.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.41 | $251.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.17 | $305.36 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Oxnard
Based on $30.64/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.64/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Oxnard, CA can expect to earn approximately $63,725 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,765. With a cost-of-living index of 110.53 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Oxnard.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Oxnard
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,225.49 | $5,310 | $63,725 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $735.29 | $3,186 | $38,235 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $490.20 | $2,124 | $25,490 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (Oxnard) | $30.64 |
| 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 Oxnard, CA earn a median of $63,733 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.50% higher than the national median of $49,986 and 1.80% above the California state average of $62,606.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.64/hr = $38,235/year (purchasing power: $34,591).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,725/year (purchasing power: $57,652).
CoL index: 110.534 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$19.38/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.04/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.64/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+66.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Oxnard (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.38/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.61/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.10/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.01/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.33/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.22/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.04/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.64/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.32/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Oxnard grew 49.8% from $19.38/hr (2019) to $29.04/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.32/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 Oxnard 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 Oxnard
Part-time veterinary technologists and technicians working 24 hours a week in Oxnard can earn a substantial income annually, totaling around $38,256, which still positions them above many roles in the national job market. The per diem arrangements are increasingly popular, with agency work allowing professionals to earn competitive rates that can vary widely—typically from $25 to $40 per hour for general duties, rising to $35 to $55 for those with specialty VTS credentials. Given the high demand for urgent care and the staffing shortages reported in many veterinary settings, some technicians report billing up to $50 per hour for weekend and overnight shifts. Different employers, including corporate veterinary chains and academic institutions, can also alter hourly pay. While private practices may provide beneficial health insurance packages at a lower rate, researchers or corporate hospitals might offer higher hourly rates but fewer benefits. This trade-off often requires savvy negotiation skills, particularly for hourly workers in Oxnard's competitive veterinary tech market.
More salary data for Oxnard, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Oxnard in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinary technologists and technicians make in Oxnard?
Are veterinary technologists and technicians in Oxnard paid hourly or salary?
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Do veterinary technologists and technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Oxnard?
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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 Oxnard. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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