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.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

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
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 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
28.59% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Daly City
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.
Salary Calculator
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 To | Median Salary | Daly City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $62,647 | +2.60% more |
| National Average | $49,986 | +28.59% more |
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
Daly City has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
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 (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,417 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,626 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,385 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,172 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,244 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,362 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,925 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,276 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,811 | Projected |
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 (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Daly City 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated 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.
More salary data for Daly City, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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).
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