Vet Tech salary

Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Madera, CA: $61,168 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Madera, CA earns a median $61,168/year (≈ $29.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Madera's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $54,083 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% below the California state average.

$61,168
Median Annual Salary
$29.40/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$47,460
Entry Level (P10)
$81,404
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

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

In Madera, California, the veterinary technologist and technician salary is projected to reach an annual median of $61,168 in 2026. This figure reflects a local market that shows strong promise in comparison to the national average of $49,986, placing Madera's pay approximately 22.37% higher. Salary estimates range from $47,460 at the 10th percentile to $81,404 at the 90th percentile, indicating considerable variability in earnings based on experience, specialization, and work environments. These numbers are derived from 2025 BLS estimates, adjusted for regional price parity, underscoring the importance of understanding salary dynamics in a city known for its veterinary care, which includes both general practices and corporate chain facilities like VCA and BluePearl.

About the Madera Market

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

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$47,460$22.82
Lower Range (P25)$50,794$24.42
Median (P50)(typical)$61,168$29.40
Upper Range (P75)$74,788$35.95
Top Earners (P90)$81,404$39.14

Median Salary Position

$47,460$81,404
City Median: $61,168
National: $49,986
P10–P90 Range

22.37% above the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Madera

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for veterinary technologist and technicians in Madera. The median salary is $61,168, compared to the national median of $49,986.$42.7K$53.4K$64.1K$74.8K$85.5K$47.5K10th Pctl$50.8K25th Pctl$61.2KMedian$74.8K75th Pctl$81.4K90th PctlUS Median$50.0K

In Madera, CA, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,944 (2026 est.). At $61,168, the local median is 22.37% 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 Madera metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$1,176
per week
$5,096
per month
$61,158
per year

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

How Madera Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares

Madera median: $61,168/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryMadera Pays
California Average$62,608-2.30% less
National Average$49,986+22.37% more
Horizontal bar chart comparing veterinary technologist and technician median salary in Madera ($61,168) with California average ($62,608) and the US national median ($49,986).Madera$61,168California Avg$62,608-2.30%US National$49,986+22.37%

Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Madera, CA earn a median of $61,168 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.37% higher than the national median of $49,986 and 2.30% below the California state average of $62,608.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$61,168
Nominal Salary
113.1
CoL Index
$54,083
Adjusted Salary

Madera 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 $61,168. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 113.1, the purchasing-power equivalent is $54,083, a loss of $7,085.$42.5K$49.5K$56.4K$63.4K$70.3K$61,168NominalSalary$54,083CoL Adjusted(CoL: 113.1) -11.58%US Median $50.0K

Madera, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $61,168 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $54,083 — a 11.58% reduction.

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2019 BLS Actual

$43,221

2025 BLS Actual

$57,979

2026 Current Est.

$61,168

2019–2027 Growth

+49.3%

Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Madera (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 Madera. Baseline $43,221 in 2025, projected to $64,532 by 2027.$39.0K$46.4K$53.9K$61.3K$68.8K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$43.2K$44.4K$45.1K$46.8K$53.5K$57.4K$58.0K$61.2K$64.5K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$43,221Actual
2020$44,371Actual
2021$45,093Actual
2022$46,794Actual
2023$53,525Actual
2024$57,444Actual
2025$57,979Actual
2026(current)$61,168Estimated
2027$64,532Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Madera metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 34.1% from $43,221 (2019) to $57,979 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,532 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,311 (49.31%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Madera 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)$47,460$50,794
3-5 years (Mid Career)$50,794$61,168
5+ years (Experienced)$61,168$74,788
10+ years (Top Earner)$74,788$81,404

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 Madera

The job market in Madera shows a solid demand for veterinary technologists and technicians, with only eight professionals currently employed in the area. However, the cost of living index sits at 113.1, which is above the national average, meaning take-home pay may not stretch as far as it might elsewhere. Those looking to maximize their compensation should target corporate chain hospitals or specialty referral practices, where higher pay rates are often offered compared to general practices. Factors driving the range in salaries include the presence of VTS specialists with credentials in areas like emergency and critical care, which can command significantly higher wages, as well as shift differentials for 24-hour emergency services. By pursuing specialty credentialing and seeking employment in high-paying sectors, veterinary technologists and technicians in Madera can better navigate the local financial landscape.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The estimated 2026 median veterinary technologist and technician salary in Madera is $61,168/year ($29.40/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 5.50% annual growth). Salaries range from $47,460 at entry level (10th percentile) to $81,404 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Madera at 22.4% 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 Madera, CA a good place to work as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Madera veterinary technologist and technician salaries are 22.4% above the national average and 2.3% below the California state average. The metro area employs approximately 8 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 Madera?

The median veterinary technologist and technician salary in Madera is $61,168, and the 90th percentile earns $81,404. 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 Madera?

After adjusting for Madera's cost-of-living index of 113.1 (where 100 equals the national average), the $61,168 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $54,083 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Madera 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 Madera?

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Madera earn a median hourly rate of $29.40, which translates to approximately $61,168/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $22.82 for entry-level positions to $39.14 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 $57,979 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Madera 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 Madera 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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