Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Merced, CA: $53,193 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Merced, CA earns a median $53,193/year (≈ $25.57/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Merced's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.3), that paycheck buys what $54,127 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 15.1% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinary technologists and technicians in Merced, California, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $53,193 in 2026, reflecting a strong position in the market as compared to national averages. The salary range spans from $40,734 at the 10th percentile to $64,186 at the 90th percentile, revealing a diverse earning potential based on experience, specialization, and employer type. These projections are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, indicating a robust outlook for salaries as the veterinary workforce continues to see increasing demand and a projected annual growth rate of 5.50%. With corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl maintaining competitive pay scales, the job market in Merced shows promise for new and established professionals alike.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,734 | $19.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,568 | $22.39 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,193 | $25.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59,850 | $28.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $64,186 | $30.86 |
Median Salary Position
6.42% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Merced
In Merced, CA, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,452 (2026 est.). At $53,193, the local median is 6.42% above the national median of $49,986.
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At 40 hours/week in Merced: You'd be above the median
How Merced Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
Merced median: $53,193/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Merced Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $62,654 | -15.10% less |
| National Average | $49,986 | +6.42% more |
Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Merced, CA earn a median of $53,193 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.42% higher than the national median of $49,986 and 15.10% below the California state average of $62,654.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Merced has a cost of living 1.72% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Merced, CA has a cost-of-living index of 98.275 (below the national average of 100). A veterinary technologist and technician earning $53,193 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $54,127 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.76% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,470
2025 BLS Actual
$50,420
2026 Current Est.
$53,193
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Merced (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,470 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,350 | Actual |
| 2021 | $39,214 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,880 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,540 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,870 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,420 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,193 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,119 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Merced metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 34.6% from $37,470 (2019) to $50,420 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,119 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,649 (49.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Merced 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) | $40,734 – $46,568 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,568 – $53,193 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,193 – $59,850 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $59,850 – $64,186 |
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 Merced
The local job market for veterinary technologists and technicians in Merced consists of approximately 40 individuals employed in various capacities, offering a range of opportunities for career growth. With a cost of living index of 98.275, salaries stretch further for professionals in the area, leading to a more favorable take-home income. Among the highest paying employers are corporate chain hospitals and specialty referral facilities, which typically offer more competitive compensation compared to standard general practice clinics. Factors such as specialized credentials like the Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) designation can command significantly higher wages, especially in areas such as emergency and critical care. To maximize earning potential, professionals should consider pursuing additional certifications, seeking positions in specialized or corporate settings, and negotiating shift differentials where applicable, particularly in high-demand roles.
More salary data for Merced, 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 $50,420 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Merced 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, 6-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