Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Fullerton, CA: $64,332 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Fullerton, CA earns a median $64,332/year (≈ $30.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Fullerton's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $56,881 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.7% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Fullerton, California, the veterinary technologist and technician salary is projected to reach a median annual figure of $64,332 in 2026, significantly surpassing the national median of $49,986. The salary range reflects a diverse market, with entry-level positions starting at $46,708 and top earners making as much as $87,328. These figures are derived from state-level BLS data along with regional price adjustments. The pay gradient tends to favor those working in specialty hospitals over general practice clinics, offering further incentive for technicians to pursue advanced competencies and credentials.
About the Fullerton Market
Salary estimated from California average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,708 | $22.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,403 | $24.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,332 | $30.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,239 | $38.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87,328 | $41.99 |
Median Salary Position
28.70% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fullerton
In Fullerton, CA, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,620 (2026 est.). At $64,332, the local median is 28.7% above the national median of $49,986.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fullerton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fullerton Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
Fullerton median: $64,332/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fullerton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $62,640 | +2.70% more |
| National Average | $49,986 | +28.70% more |
Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Fullerton, CA earn a median of $64,332 per year (2026 est.), which is 28.70% higher than the national median of $49,986 and 2.70% above the California state average of $62,640.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fullerton has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fullerton, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $64,332 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $56,881 — a 11.58% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$45,457
2025 BLS Actual
$60,978
2026 Current Est.
$64,332
2019–2027 Growth
+49.3%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Fullerton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,457 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,667 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,426 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,215 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,293 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,415 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,978 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,332 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,870 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fullerton metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 34.1% from $45,457 (2019) to $60,978 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,870 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,413 (49.31%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fullerton 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) | $46,708 – $51,403 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,403 – $64,332 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,332 – $79,239 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,239 – $87,328 |
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 Fullerton
The local job market shows promising strength with 25 veterinary technologists and technicians currently employed in Fullerton. However, the cost of living index stands at 113.1, indicating that daily expenses are above the national average, which can impact the take-home purchasing power of technicians in the area. Among various employers, specialty referral hospitals and corporate chain hospitals like VCA and BluePearl often offer higher salaries compared to general practice settings. Factors that contribute to the pay scale include the demand for VTS specialty credentials in fields such as emergency and critical care, as well as variations in corporate pay structures. For technicians looking to maximize their compensation, pursuing specialization, considering roles in 24-hour emergency services, and seeking positions at universities or specialty hospitals may provide substantial financial benefits.
More salary data for Fullerton, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinary technologists and technicians make in Fullerton, CA in 2026?
Is Fullerton, CA a good place to work as a veterinary technologist and technician?
Can veterinary technologists and technicians make $100K in Fullerton?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted veterinary technologist and technician salary in Fullerton?
How much does a veterinary technologist and technician make per hour in Fullerton?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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 $60,978 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Fullerton 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 Fullerton 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