Vet Tech salary

Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Daly City, CA: $64,276 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Daly City, CA earns a median $64,276/year (≈ $30.90/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Daly City's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $56,831 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% above the California state average.

$64,276
Median Annual Salary
$30.90/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$46,579
Entry Level (P10)
$84,744
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

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

With a median annual salary of $64,276 in 2026, veterinary technologists and technicians in Daly City are earning a competitive wage compared to their counterparts nationwide, where the median is $49,986. The salary for this profession in Daly City ranges from $46,579 at the 10th percentile to $84,744 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant earning potential for those with specialized training or credentials. Local estimates are informed by 2025 BLS data and the adjusted cost of living in the area, which is reflected in the salary figures. For individuals pursuing the Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) credential in Emergency and Critical Care (ECC) or anesthesia, the additional expertise can markedly enhance their earning capacity, positioning them favorably in the local job market.

About the Daly City Market

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

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$46,579$22.40
Lower Range (P25)$51,291$24.66
Median (P50)(typical)$64,276$30.90
Upper Range (P75)$77,681$37.35
Top Earners (P90)$84,744$40.74

Median Salary Position

$46,579$84,744
City Median: $64,276
National: $49,986
P10–P90 Range

28.59% above the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Daly City

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for veterinary technologist and technicians in Daly City. The median salary is $64,276, compared to the national median of $49,986.$41.9K$53.7K$65.5K$77.2K$89.0K$46.6K10th Pctl$51.3K25th Pctl$64.3KMedian$77.7K75th Pctl$84.7K90th PctlUS Median$50.0K

In Daly City, CA, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,165 (2026 est.). At $64,276, the local median is 28.59% 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 Daly City metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$1,236
per week
$5,356
per month
$64,274
per year

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

How Daly City Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares

Daly City median: $64,276/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryDaly City Pays
California Average$62,647+2.60% more
National Average$49,986+28.59% more
Horizontal bar chart comparing veterinary technologist and technician median salary in Daly City ($64,276) with California average ($62,647) and the US national median ($49,986).Daly City$64,276California Avg$62,647+2.60%US National$49,986+28.59%

Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Daly City, CA earn a median of $64,276 per year (2026 est.), which is 28.59% higher than the national median of $49,986 and 2.60% above the California state average of $62,647.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$64,276
Nominal Salary
113.1
CoL Index
$56,831
Adjusted Salary

Daly City 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 $64,276. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 113.1, the purchasing-power equivalent is $56,831, a loss of $7,445.$42.5K$50.3K$58.2K$66.1K$73.9K$64,276NominalSalary$56,831CoL Adjusted(CoL: 113.1) -11.58%US Median $50.0K

Daly City, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $64,276 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $56,831 — a 11.58% reduction.

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2019 BLS Actual

$45,417

2025 BLS Actual

$60,925

2026 Current Est.

$64,276

2019–2027 Growth

+49.3%

Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Daly City (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 Daly City. Baseline $45,417 in 2025, projected to $67,811 by 2027.$40.9K$48.8K$56.6K$64.5K$72.3K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$45.4K$46.6K$47.4K$49.2K$56.2K$60.4K$60.9K$64.3K$67.8K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$45,417Actual
2020$46,626Actual
2021$47,385Actual
2022$49,172Actual
2023$56,244Actual
2024$60,362Actual
2025$60,925Actual
2026(current)$64,276Estimated
2027$67,811Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Daly City metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 34.1% from $45,417 (2019) to $60,925 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,811 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,394 (49.31%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Daly City 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)$46,579$51,291
3-5 years (Mid Career)$51,291$64,276
5+ years (Experienced)$64,276$77,681
10+ years (Top Earner)$77,681$84,744

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 Daly City

The job outlook for veterinary technologists and technicians in Daly City is supported by the presence of 20 professionals currently employed in this field, but the local cost of living, indexed at 113.1, influences overall purchasing power. Employers offering the highest pay typically include specialty referral hospitals, corporate chain hospitals like VCA and BluePearl, and university teaching hospitals, which can significantly outpace general practice veterinary clinics in compensation. Factors contributing to the disparity in salaries include specialization credentials, such as ECC or anesthesia, which command higher rates, and differing pay scales between corporate and independent practices. By pursuing VTS specialties and seeking positions in high-demand settings, technicians can maximize their earning potential, given the ongoing workforce shortage and the 5.50% projected annual growth rate in the job market.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The estimated 2026 median veterinary technologist and technician salary in Daly City is $64,276/year ($30.90/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 5.50% annual growth). Salaries range from $46,579 at entry level (10th percentile) to $84,744 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Daly City at 28.6% 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 Daly City, CA a good place to work as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Daly City veterinary technologist and technician salaries are 28.6% above the national average and 2.6% above the California state average. The metro area employs approximately 20 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 Daly City?

The median veterinary technologist and technician salary in Daly City is $64,276, and the 90th percentile earns $84,744. 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 Daly City?

After adjusting for Daly City's cost-of-living index of 113.1 (where 100 equals the national average), the $64,276 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $56,831 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Daly City 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 Daly City?

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Daly City earn a median hourly rate of $30.90, which translates to approximately $64,276/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $22.40 for entry-level positions to $40.74 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 $60,925 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Daly City 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 Daly City 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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