Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Fresno, CA: $61,274 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Fresno, CA earns a median $61,274/year (≈ $29.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Fresno's price level (2% above national, BEA RPP 102.2), that paycheck buys what $59,980 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, salaries for veterinary technologists and technicians in Fresno, CA, are projected to reach a median of $61,274, significantly outpacing the national figure of $49,986 and reflecting a 22.58% higher rate specific to this local market. The salary range stretches from $48,150 at the 10th percentile to $76,255 at the 90th percentile, indicating strong earning potential for those who specialize further, particularly through achieving Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) credentials in areas like emergency and critical care (ECC) or anesthesia. Data sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) underscores a healthy demand in the field, particularly in a city like Fresno where veterinary professionals are increasingly sought after.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,150 | $23.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,851 | $24.44 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,274 | $29.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,070 | $30.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,255 | $36.66 |
Median Salary Position
22.58% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fresno
In Fresno, CA, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $28,105 (2026 est.). At $61,274, the local median is 22.58% above the national median of $49,986.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fresno: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fresno Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
Fresno median: $61,274/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fresno Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $62,653 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $49,986 | +22.58% more |
Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Fresno, CA earn a median of $61,274 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.58% higher than the national median of $49,986 and 2.20% below the California state average of $62,653.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fresno has a cost of living 2.16% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fresno, CA has a cost-of-living index of 102.158 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $61,274 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $59,980 — a 2.11% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$35,870
2025 BLS Actual
$58,080
2026 Current Est.
$61,274
2019–2027 Growth
+80.2%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Fresno (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,870 | Actual |
| 2020 | $35,740 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,130 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,640 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,920 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,690 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,080 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,274 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,644 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fresno metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 61.9% from $35,870 (2019) to $58,080 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,644 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,774 (80.22%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fresno 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) | $48,150 – $50,851 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,851 – $61,274 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,274 – $64,070 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,070 – $76,255 |
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 Fresno
With a current employment figure of 220 veterinary technologists and technicians in Fresno, the job market demonstrates solid growth potential alongside a projected annual increase of 5.50%. The cost of living index stands at 102.158, indicating that while wages may be higher than the national average, the expenses in Fresno can impact take-home pay. Among local employers, specialty referral hospitals and corporate chains often offer the most competitive pay, benefiting from structured pay scales that reward those with VTS credentials. The disparity in salaries can also stem from factors such as shift differentials in emergency services and mentorship roles in training new technicians, making it financially advantageous to pursue additional qualifications and experience within this vibrant Fresno market.
More salary data for Fresno, 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 $58,080 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Fresno 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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