Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay in Upland, CA: $29.12 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a veterinary technologist and technician working in Upland, CA runs $29.12 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,562 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Weighted against Upland's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $25.75 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,339 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Upland, CA, the projected median hourly pay for veterinary technologists and technicians stands at $29.12, significantly surpassing the national median of $24.03. This hourly rate provides a solid foundation for part-time work arrangements, such as those spanning three days a week, which can yield a reliable income for professionals balancing their careers with personal commitments. Hourly compensation in Upland ranges from $22.02 for entry-level positions up to $39.32 for top earners, reflecting a healthy demand for skilled staff in various settings, including general practice treatment areas, specialty hospital ICU/ECC wards, and university teaching hospitals. This robust pay scale can lead to competitive job offers in the field, driven by the veterinary workforce shortage that has heightened wage expectations across California.
About the Upland 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) | $22.02 | $176.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.83 | $190.66 |
| Median (P50) | $29.12 | $232.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.85 | $286.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.32 | $314.56 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Upland
Based on $29.12/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.12/hr, a veterinary technologist and technician working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Upland, CA can expect to earn approximately $60,565 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,942. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Upland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Upland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,164.72 | $5,047 | $60,565 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $698.83 | $3,028 | $36,339 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $465.89 | $2,019 | $24,226 |
Compare Vet Tech Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Veterinary Technologist and Technician (Upland) | $29.12 |
| 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 Upland, CA earn a median of $60,562 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.16% higher than the national median of $49,986 and 3.30% below the California state average of $62,629.
Veterinary Technologist and Technician Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.12/hr = $36,339/year (purchasing power: $32,130).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,565/year (purchasing power: $53,550).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$20.57/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.60/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.12/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+49.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Upland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.57/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.12/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.47/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.28/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.48/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.34/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.60/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.12/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.72/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Upland grew 34.1% from $20.57/hr (2019) to $27.60/hr (2025). At a 5.50% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.72/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 Upland 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 Upland
Part-time veterinary technologists and technicians working 24 hours each week can expect to earn around $45,000 annually, which still provides a competitive income when compared to the full-time counterpart. For those in per-diem roles, billing practices further enhance earning potential, with many techs charging between $25 and $40 per hour. Credentialed Veterinary Technician Specialists (VTS) can command rates of $35 to $55 per hour, especially for weekend or overnight shifts in higher-demand environments, such as emergency clinics or specialty hospitals. However, varying hourly rates exist depending on the employer type in Upland; general practice clinics may offer lower compensation compared to corporate chains or specialty facilities. Some may choose lower hourly wages for increased benefits like health insurance. In negotiations, emphasizing relevant credentials and experience can effectively boost hourly pay, especially in a competitive market where skills are in high demand.
More salary data for Upland, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for veterinary technologists and technicians in Upland in 2026?
How much do part-time veterinary technologists and technicians make in Upland?
Are veterinary technologists and technicians in Upland paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time veterinary technologist and technician make per year in Upland?
Do veterinary technologists and technicians earn more per hour working part-time in Upland?
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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 Upland. 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 Upland 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