Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Los Angeles, CA: $64,007 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Los Angeles, CA earns a median $64,007/year (≈ $30.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Los Angeles's price level (14% above national, BEA RPP 113.6), that paycheck buys what $56,361 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, veterinary technologists and technicians in Los Angeles can expect a median annual salary of $64,007, which reflects a substantial difference compared to the national median of $49,986. The effective salary range spans from $51,062 at the lower end (P10) to $80,591 at the upper end (P90), illustrating the potential for significant earnings within this profession. These estimates are derived from official BLS OEWS surveys and highlight a notable market trend in which specialized facilities, such as emergency and specialty hospitals, tend to offer higher compensation than general practice clinics. This growing pay gradient mirrors the increasing demand for skilled veterinary professionals, particularly given the ongoing workforce shortage that has intensified during recent years.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,062 | $24.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,069 | $26.00 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,007 | $30.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,423 | $31.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,591 | $38.75 |
Median Salary Position
28.05% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Los Angeles
In Los Angeles, CA, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,529 (2026 est.). At $64,007, the local median is 28.05% above the national median of $49,986.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Los Angeles: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Los Angeles Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
Los Angeles median: $64,007/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Los Angeles Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $62,629 | +2.20% more |
| National Average | $49,986 | +28.05% more |
Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Los Angeles, CA earn a median of $64,007 per year (2026 est.), which is 28.05% higher than the national median of $49,986 and 2.20% above the California state average of $62,629.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Los Angeles has a cost of living 13.57% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Los Angeles, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.566 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $64,007 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $56,361 — a 11.95% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,420
2025 BLS Actual
$60,670
2026 Current Est.
$64,007
2019–2027 Growth
+48.7%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Los Angeles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,420 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,680 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,360 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,900 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,170 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,790 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,670 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,007 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,527 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Los Angeles metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 33.6% from $45,420 (2019) to $60,670 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,527 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,107 (48.67%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Los Angeles 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) | $51,062 – $54,069 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,069 – $64,007 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,007 – $66,423 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,423 – $80,591 |
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 Los Angeles
In Los Angeles, approximately 3,640 veterinary technologists and technicians are employed across various settings, reflecting the city's vibrant job market. With a cost-of-living index of 113.566, the purchasing power for salaries is a crucial factor in determining actual take-home income. Among local employers, specialty referral hospitals and corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl are known to offer competitive salaries, especially for those with VTS specialty credentials in critical care, anesthesia, or internal medicine. The disparity in pay can also be attributed to differentials in corporate pay scales and the enhanced responsibilities that come with mentoring roles at general practices. Therefore, for veterinary technologists and technicians seeking to maximize their earnings in Los Angeles, obtaining specialization and considering employment in high-demand sectors can be vital strategies for achieving the higher end of the salary spectrum.
More salary data for Los Angeles, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinary technologists and technicians make in Los Angeles, CA in 2026?
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Can veterinary technologists and technicians make $100K in Los Angeles?
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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 $60,670 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Los Angeles 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