Vet Tech salary

Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Brentwood, CA: $62,468 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Brentwood, CA earns a median $62,468/year (≈ $30.04/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Brentwood's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $55,233 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% below the California state average.

$62,468
Median Annual Salary
$30.04/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$45,567
Entry Level (P10)
$85,913
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Brentwood, CA — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Brentwood, CA veterinary technologist and technician salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In 2026, the veterinary technologist and technician salary in Brentwood, CA, is projected to reach a median annual figure of $62,468. This figure reflects a significant premium over the national average salary of $49,986, showcasing how Brentwood’s pay scale aligns with its high demand for skilled professionals in a competitive market. The salary range for these roles spans from $45,567 at the 10th percentile to as high as $85,913 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for local cost factors, indicate a healthy marketplace for veterinary technologists and technicians in Brentwood as the employment opportunities within reputable corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl drive up compensation in this area.

About the Brentwood Market

Salary estimated from California average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$45,567$21.90
Lower Range (P25)$49,696$23.90
Median (P50)(typical)$62,468$30.04
Upper Range (P75)$75,472$36.28
Top Earners (P90)$85,913$41.30

Median Salary Position

$45,567$85,913
City Median: $62,468
National: $49,986
P10–P90 Range

24.97% above the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brentwood

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for veterinary technologist and technicians in Brentwood. The median salary is $62,468, compared to the national median of $49,986.$41.0K$53.3K$65.6K$77.9K$90.2K$45.6K10th Pctl$49.7K25th Pctl$62.5KMedian$75.5K75th Pctl$85.9K90th PctlUS Median$50.0K

In Brentwood, CA, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,346 (2026 est.). At $62,468, the local median is 24.97% above the national median of $49,986.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of veterinary technologist and technician pay in the Brentwood metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$1,201
per week
$5,206
per month
$62,475
per year

At 40 hours/week in Brentwood: You'd be in the lower-middle range

How Brentwood Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares

Brentwood median: $62,468/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryBrentwood Pays
California Average$62,656-0.30% less
National Average$49,986+24.97% more
Horizontal bar chart comparing veterinary technologist and technician median salary in Brentwood ($62,468) with California average ($62,656) and the US national median ($49,986).Brentwood$62,468California Avg$62,656-0.30%US National$49,986+24.97%

Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Brentwood, CA earn a median of $62,468 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.97% higher than the national median of $49,986 and 0.30% below the California state average of $62,656.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$62,468
Nominal Salary
113.1
CoL Index
$55,233
Adjusted Salary

Brentwood has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.

Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $62,468. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 113.1, the purchasing-power equivalent is $55,233, a loss of $7,235.$42.5K$49.8K$57.2K$64.5K$71.8K$62,468NominalSalary$55,233CoL Adjusted(CoL: 113.1) -11.58%US Median $50.0K

Brentwood, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $62,468 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $55,233 — a 11.58% reduction.

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2019 BLS Actual

$44,140

2025 BLS Actual

$59,211

2026 Current Est.

$62,468

2019–2027 Growth

+49.3%

Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Brentwood (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for veterinary technologists and technicians in Brentwood. Baseline $44,140 in 2025, projected to $65,903 by 2027.$39.8K$47.4K$55.0K$62.6K$70.3K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$44.1K$45.3K$46.1K$47.8K$54.7K$58.7K$59.2K$62.5K$65.9K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$44,140Actual
2020$45,314Actual
2021$46,052Actual
2022$47,789Actual
2023$54,662Actual
2024$58,664Actual
2025$59,211Actual
2026(current)$62,468Estimated
2027$65,903Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brentwood metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 34.1% from $44,140 (2019) to $59,211 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,903 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,763 (49.30%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brentwood metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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.

Salary by Experience Level

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$45,567$49,696
3-5 years (Mid Career)$49,696$62,468
5+ years (Experienced)$62,468$75,472
10+ years (Top Earner)$75,472$85,913

Vet Tech salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinary technologist and technician compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

Veterinary Technologist and Technician Job Market in Brentwood

Brentwood currently employs 13 veterinary technologists and technicians, highlighting a niche but vital labor market. Coupled with a cost-of-living index of 113.1, these positions offer a solid standard of living, though professionals should consider that higher expenses can impact take-home pay. The corporate pay structures of chains such as VCA and BluePearl often provide better compensation than typical general practice clinics. Factors such as specialty credentials in areas like emergency care or anesthesia can elevate salary potential, as can roles in 24-hour emergency hospitals that offer shift differentials and lead positions. To maximize earning potential in this competitive environment, pursuing the Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) credential and exploring employment in specialty hospitals can be effective strategies for navigating the veterinary technologist and technician pay in Brentwood, CA.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do veterinary technologists and technicians make in Brentwood, CA in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median veterinary technologist and technician salary in Brentwood is $62,468/year ($30.04/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 5.50% annual growth). Salaries range from $45,567 at entry level (10th percentile) to $85,913 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Brentwood at 25.0% above the national median. Full-time veterinary technologists and technicians typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Brentwood, CA a good place to work as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Brentwood veterinary technologist and technician salaries are 25.0% above the national average and 0.3% below the California state average. The metro area employs approximately 13 veterinary technologists and technicians. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, you should factor in higher living costs when evaluating compensation. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can veterinary technologists and technicians make $100K in Brentwood?

The median veterinary technologist and technician salary in Brentwood is $62,468, and the 90th percentile earns $85,913. Reaching $100K in this market typically requires a combination of advanced certifications, working at multiple practices, or transitioning into education or consulting roles.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted veterinary technologist and technician salary in Brentwood?

After adjusting for Brentwood's cost-of-living index of 113.1 (where 100 equals the national average), the $62,468 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $55,233 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Brentwood reduce the effective value of your salary by 11.6% compared to the national average — consider negotiating higher base pay or exploring nearby lower-cost metros.

How much does a veterinary technologist and technician make per hour in Brentwood?

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Brentwood earn a median hourly rate of $30.04, which translates to approximately $62,468/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $21.90 for entry-level positions to $41.30 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem veterinary technologists and technicians sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

Related Pages

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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

Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $59,211 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Brentwood metropolitan area. A 5.50% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.

Data Sources & Methodology

Salary data for Brentwood is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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