Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Murrieta, CA: $62,495 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Murrieta, CA earns a median $62,495/year (≈ $30.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Murrieta's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $55,256 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Veterinary technologists and technicians in Murrieta, CA, can expect a robust potential earning of $62,495 in 2026. This figure represents a significant increase compared to many areas across the nation, where the projected median is just $49,986. The salary range for positions in the region extends from $47,681 at the lower end to $85,017 for the top earners, suggesting that advanced credentials such as Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) designations in emergency and critical care (ECC) or anesthesia can greatly enhance earning potential. These local estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional living costs, indicate a market that rewards specialization and expertise well.
About the Murrieta Market
Salary estimated from California average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,681 | $22.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,491 | $24.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,495 | $30.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,661 | $37.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,017 | $40.87 |
Median Salary Position
25.03% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Murrieta
In Murrieta, CA, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,336 (2026 est.). At $62,495, the local median is 25.03% above the national median of $49,986.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Murrieta: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Murrieta Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
Murrieta median: $62,495/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Murrieta Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $62,620 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $49,986 | +25.03% more |
Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Murrieta, CA earn a median of $62,495 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.03% higher than the national median of $49,986 and 0.20% below the California state average of $62,620.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Murrieta has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Murrieta, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $62,495 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $55,256 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,159
2025 BLS Actual
$59,237
2026 Current Est.
$62,495
2019–2027 Growth
+49.3%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Murrieta (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,159 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,334 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,072 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,810 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,686 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,690 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,237 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,495 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,932 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Murrieta metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 34.1% from $44,159 (2019) to $59,237 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,932 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,773 (49.31%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Murrieta 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) | $47,681 – $51,491 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,491 – $62,495 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,495 – $78,661 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,661 – $85,017 |
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 Murrieta
With 25 veterinary technologists and technicians currently employed in Murrieta, the local job market is competitive yet offers promising growth opportunities, projected at an annual rate of 5.50%. However, the cost of living index sits at 113.1, which is above the national average, impacting take-home pay and purchasing power for these professionals. Among local employers, specialty referral hospitals and corporate chains such as VCA and BluePearl tend to offer the highest salaries, reflecting the demand for advanced skill sets. Factors driving compensation disparities include VTS credentials, the distinctions between general practice and specialty settings, and shift differentials at 24-hour emergency hospitals. By pursuing additional certification and considering employment at specialty facilities, veterinary technologists and technicians in Murrieta can position themselves for higher pay within this growing market.
More salary data for Murrieta, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinary technologists and technicians make in Murrieta, CA in 2026?
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Can veterinary technologists and technicians make $100K in Murrieta?
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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 $59,237 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Murrieta 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 Murrieta 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