Vet Tech salary

Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Compton, CA: $62,026 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Compton, CA earns a median $62,026/year (≈ $29.82/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Compton's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $54,842 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% below the California state average.

$62,026
Median Annual Salary
$29.82/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$44,474
Entry Level (P10)
$80,322
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

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

In 2026, the projected median salary for veterinary technologists and technicians in Compton is $62,026, significantly higher than the national median of $49,986, indicating a robust local market. Salaries in this profession vary notably, with a range from $44,474 at the 10th percentile to $80,322 at the 90th percentile. These figures are based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, and adjusted for local cost-of-living factors, which is reflected in Compton's cost of living index of 113.1. For those pursuing advanced credentials like the VTS in emergency and critical care (ECC) or anesthesia, there exists a notable opportunity to command higher wages, making specialized training a significant asset in this competitive job market.

About the Compton Market

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

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$44,474$21.38
Lower Range (P25)$52,536$25.26
Median (P50)(typical)$62,026$29.82
Upper Range (P75)$74,455$35.80
Top Earners (P90)$80,322$38.61

Median Salary Position

$44,474$80,322
City Median: $62,026
National: $49,986
P10–P90 Range

24.09% above the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Compton

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for veterinary technologist and technicians in Compton. The median salary is $62,026, compared to the national median of $49,986.$40.0K$51.1K$62.2K$73.3K$84.3K$44.5K10th Pctl$52.5K25th Pctl$62.0KMedian$74.5K75th Pctl$80.3K90th PctlUS Median$50.0K

In Compton, CA, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $35,848 (2026 est.). At $62,026, the local median is 24.09% 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 Compton metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$1,193
per week
$5,170
per month
$62,036
per year

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

How Compton Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares

Compton median: $62,026/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryCompton Pays
California Average$62,652-1.00% less
National Average$49,986+24.09% more
Horizontal bar chart comparing veterinary technologist and technician median salary in Compton ($62,026) with California average ($62,652) and the US national median ($49,986).Compton$62,026California Avg$62,652-1.00%US National$49,986+24.09%

Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Compton, CA earn a median of $62,026 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.09% higher than the national median of $49,986 and 1.00% below the California state average of $62,652.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$62,026
Nominal Salary
113.1
CoL Index
$54,842
Adjusted Salary

Compton 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 $62,026. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 113.1, the purchasing-power equivalent is $54,842, a loss of $7,184.$42.5K$49.7K$56.9K$64.1K$71.3K$62,026NominalSalary$54,842CoL Adjusted(CoL: 113.1) -11.58%US Median $50.0K

Compton, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $62,026 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $54,842 — a 11.58% reduction.

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2019 BLS Actual

$43,827

2025 BLS Actual

$58,792

2026 Current Est.

$62,026

2019–2027 Growth

+49.3%

Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Compton (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 Compton. Baseline $43,827 in 2025, projected to $65,437 by 2027.$39.5K$47.1K$54.6K$62.2K$69.8K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$43.8K$45.0K$45.7K$47.5K$54.3K$58.2K$58.8K$62.0K$65.4K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$43,827Actual
2020$44,994Actual
2021$45,726Actual
2022$47,451Actual
2023$54,275Actual
2024$58,249Actual
2025$58,792Actual
2026(current)$62,026Estimated
2027$65,437Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Compton metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 34.1% from $43,827 (2019) to $58,792 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,437 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,610 (49.31%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Compton 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)$44,474$52,536
3-5 years (Mid Career)$52,536$62,026
5+ years (Experienced)$62,026$74,455
10+ years (Top Earner)$74,455$80,322

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 Compton

The local job market for veterinary technologists and technicians in Compton features an employment base of approximately 25 professionals, reflecting a tight-knit community within the veterinary field. With a cost of living index exceeding the national average, take-home purchasing power can be a challenge for many, emphasizing the importance of seeking employment with higher-paying establishments. Those in specialty referral hospitals, corporate chain hospitals like VCA and BluePearl, or engaging in advanced care practices, typically see the highest wages. The disparity in pay stems from factors such as specialty credentialing, differences in pay scales between corporate chains and general practices, and additional compensation for lead roles or shift differentials. For maximizing earnings in Compton, focusing on specialization and pursuing positions in high-demand settings such as emergency care facilities can significantly enhance earning potential in this evolving sector.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The estimated 2026 median veterinary technologist and technician salary in Compton is $62,026/year ($29.82/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 5.50% annual growth). Salaries range from $44,474 at entry level (10th percentile) to $80,322 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Compton at 24.1% 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 Compton, CA a good place to work as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Compton veterinary technologist and technician salaries are 24.1% above the national average and 1.0% below the California state average. The metro area employs approximately 25 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 Compton?

The median veterinary technologist and technician salary in Compton is $62,026, and the 90th percentile earns $80,322. 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 Compton?

After adjusting for Compton's cost-of-living index of 113.1 (where 100 equals the national average), the $62,026 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $54,842 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Compton 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 Compton?

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Compton earn a median hourly rate of $29.82, which translates to approximately $62,026/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $21.38 for entry-level positions to $38.61 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.

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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 $58,792 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Compton 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 Compton 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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