Vet Tech salary

Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Fairfield, CA: $64,569 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Fairfield, CA earns a median $64,569/year (≈ $31.04/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Fairfield's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $57,090 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.1% above the California state average.

$64,569
Median Annual Salary
$31.04/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$47,456
Entry Level (P10)
$85,573
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

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

In Fairfield, California, the 2026 median annual salary for veterinary technologists and technicians is projected to be $64,569, significantly higher than the national median of $49,986. Local salaries span from a P10 low of $47,456 to a P90 high of $85,573, reflecting the competitive nature of the job market in this area. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, indicate a robust pay scale likely influenced by the presence of corporate chain veterinary hospitals such as VCA and BluePearl. As demand for qualified veterinary staff increases, this market is well-positioned to offer attractive compensation to new and seasoned professionals alike, creating opportunities for growth in the field.

About the Fairfield Market

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

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$47,456$22.82
Lower Range (P25)$51,881$24.94
Median (P50)(typical)$64,569$31.04
Upper Range (P75)$78,449$37.72
Top Earners (P90)$85,573$41.14

Median Salary Position

$47,456$85,573
City Median: $64,569
National: $49,986
P10–P90 Range

29.17% above the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fairfield

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for veterinary technologist and technicians in Fairfield. The median salary is $64,569, compared to the national median of $49,986.$42.7K$54.5K$66.3K$78.1K$89.9K$47.5K10th Pctl$51.9K25th Pctl$64.6KMedian$78.4K75th Pctl$85.6K90th PctlUS Median$50.0K

In Fairfield, CA, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,117 (2026 est.). At $64,569, the local median is 29.17% 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 Fairfield metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$1,242
per week
$5,380
per month
$64,559
per year

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

How Fairfield Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares

Fairfield median: $64,569/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryFairfield Pays
California Average$62,628+3.10% more
National Average$49,986+29.17% more
Horizontal bar chart comparing veterinary technologist and technician median salary in Fairfield ($64,569) with California average ($62,628) and the US national median ($49,986).Fairfield$64,569California Avg$62,628+3.10%US National$49,986+29.17%

Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Fairfield, CA earn a median of $64,569 per year (2026 est.), which is 29.17% higher than the national median of $49,986 and 3.10% above the California state average of $62,628.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$64,569
Nominal Salary
113.1
CoL Index
$57,090
Adjusted Salary

Fairfield 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 $64,569. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 113.1, the purchasing-power equivalent is $57,090, a loss of $7,479.$42.5K$50.4K$58.4K$66.3K$74.3K$64,569NominalSalary$57,090CoL Adjusted(CoL: 113.1) -11.58%US Median $50.0K

Fairfield, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $64,569 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $57,090 — a 11.58% reduction.

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2019 BLS Actual

$45,625

2025 BLS Actual

$61,203

2026 Current Est.

$64,569

2019–2027 Growth

+49.3%

Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Fairfield (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 Fairfield. Baseline $45,625 in 2025, projected to $68,120 by 2027.$41.1K$49.0K$56.9K$64.7K$72.6K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$45.6K$46.8K$47.6K$49.4K$56.5K$60.6K$61.2K$64.6K$68.1K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$45,625Actual
2020$46,839Actual
2021$47,601Actual
2022$49,396Actual
2023$56,501Actual
2024$60,638Actual
2025$61,203Actual
2026(current)$64,569Estimated
2027$68,120Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fairfield metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 34.1% from $45,625 (2019) to $61,203 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,120 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,495 (49.30%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fairfield 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)$47,456$51,881
3-5 years (Mid Career)$51,881$64,569
5+ years (Experienced)$64,569$78,449
10+ years (Top Earner)$78,449$85,573

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 Fairfield

Analyzing the local job landscape, there are currently 25 veterinary technologists and technicians employed in Fairfield, highlighting a concentrated yet competitive working environment. With a cost of living index of 113.1, professionals in this area must consider how that affects their purchasing power. Employers such as specialty referral hospitals or corporate chains generally offer higher compensation compared to general practice settings. The disparity in earnings can be attributed to various factors, including the potential for Veterinary Technician Specialists (VTS) to command higher wages, alongside the salary scales of corporate entities and the unique salary differentials associated with specialty fields. For those aiming to enhance their career prospects and maximize pay in Fairfield, pursuing VTS certification and exploring roles in emergency and specialty hospitals can be valuable strategies.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The estimated 2026 median veterinary technologist and technician salary in Fairfield is $64,569/year ($31.04/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 5.50% annual growth). Salaries range from $47,456 at entry level (10th percentile) to $85,573 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Fairfield at 29.2% 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 Fairfield, CA a good place to work as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Fairfield veterinary technologist and technician salaries are 29.2% above the national average and 3.1% above 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 Fairfield?

The median veterinary technologist and technician salary in Fairfield is $64,569, and the 90th percentile earns $85,573. 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 Fairfield?

After adjusting for Fairfield's cost-of-living index of 113.1 (where 100 equals the national average), the $64,569 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $57,090 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Fairfield 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 Fairfield?

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Fairfield earn a median hourly rate of $31.04, which translates to approximately $64,569/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $22.82 for entry-level positions to $41.14 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 $61,203 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Fairfield 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 Fairfield 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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