Vet Tech salary

Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Napa, CA: $63,733 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Napa, CA earns a median $63,733/year (≈ $30.65/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Napa's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 112.6), that paycheck buys what $56,624 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.8% above the California state average.

$63,733
Median Annual Salary
$30.65/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$48,414
Entry Level (P10)
$77,564
Top Earners (P90)

Official BLS data · View source

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

In Napa, California, the projected median annual salary for veterinary technologists and technicians is $63,733 for 2026. This figure represents a notable 27.50% increase above the national median of $49,986, reflecting the higher pay landscape in the Napa area. The salary range for this role is fairly expansive, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $48,414 and experienced technicians earning as much as $77,564. These insights are derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys and underline the competitive pay structure in Napa, which can be influenced by a variety of factors, including the choice between specialty hospitals and general practice settings. With the growing demand in veterinary care, particularly for specialized services, the job market continues to evolve, providing ample opportunities for skilled professionals.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$48,414$23.27
Lower Range (P25)$54,079$26.01
Median (P50)(typical)$63,733$30.65
Upper Range (P75)$67,974$32.68
Top Earners (P90)$77,564$37.28

Median Salary Position

$48,414$77,564
City Median: $63,733
National: $49,986
P10–P90 Range

27.50% above the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Napa

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for veterinary technologist and technicians in Napa. The median salary is $63,733, compared to the national median of $49,986.$43.6K$53.0K$62.5K$72.0K$81.4K$48.4K10th Pctl$54.1K25th Pctl$63.7KMedian$68.0K75th Pctl$77.6K90th PctlUS Median$50.0K

In Napa, CA, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $29,150 (2026 est.). At $63,733, the local median is 27.5% 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 Napa metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$1,226
per week
$5,312
per month
$63,747
per year

At 40 hours/week in Napa: You'd be above the median

How Napa Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares

Napa median: $63,733/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryNapa Pays
California Average$62,606+1.80% more
National Average$49,986+27.50% more
Horizontal bar chart comparing veterinary technologist and technician median salary in Napa ($63,733) with California average ($62,606) and the US national median ($49,986).Napa$63,733California Avg$62,606+1.80%US National$49,986+27.50%

Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Napa, CA earn a median of $63,733 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.50% higher than the national median of $49,986 and 1.80% above the California state average of $62,606.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$63,733
Nominal Salary
112.554
CoL Index
$56,624
Adjusted Salary

Napa has a cost of living 12.55% above the national average.

Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $63,733. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 112.554, the purchasing-power equivalent is $56,624, a loss of $7,109.$42.5K$50.2K$57.9K$65.6K$73.3K$63,733NominalSalary$56,624CoL Adjusted(CoL: 112.554) -11.15%US Median $50.0K

Napa, CA has a cost-of-living index of 112.554 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $63,733 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $56,624 — a 11.15% 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

$35,050

2025 BLS Actual

$60,410

2026 Current Est.

$63,733

2019–2027 Growth

+91.8%

Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Napa (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 Napa. Baseline $35,050 in 2025, projected to $67,238 by 2027.$28.6K$39.9K$51.1K$62.4K$73.7K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$35.0K$46.2K$47.0K$46.0K$55.8K$57.3K$60.4K$63.7K$67.2K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$35,050Actual
2020$46,232Actual
2021$46,984Actual
2022$46,050Actual
2023$55,769Actual
2024$57,300Actual
2025$60,410Actual
2026(current)$63,733Estimated
2027$67,238Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Napa metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 72.4% from $35,050 (2019) to $60,410 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,238 by 2027 — a total increase of $32,188 (91.83%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Napa 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)$48,414$54,079
3-5 years (Mid Career)$54,079$63,733
5+ years (Experienced)$63,733$67,974
10+ years (Top Earner)$67,974$77,564

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 Napa

There are currently about 30 veterinary technologists and technicians employed in Napa, indicating a steady need for these professionals amid a challenging workforce shortage. The cost of living index in this region stands at 112.554, which is above the national average, potentially impacting the disposable income of these technicians. Among the local employers, specialty referral hospitals usually offer the highest pay, bolstered by the demand for advanced skills in fields like emergency care and anesthesia. The pay gradient reflects various factors, such as the value of VTS specialty credentials and the impact of corporate chain wage scales seen in operations like VCA and BluePearl. For technicians looking to maximize their earning potential, pursuing specialty certification can significantly boost their pay, especially in high-demand areas, alongside seeking positions in specialty hospitals that provide competitive salaries and benefits.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The estimated 2026 median veterinary technologist and technician salary in Napa is $63,733/year ($30.65/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 5.50% annual growth). Salaries range from $48,414 at entry level (10th percentile) to $77,564 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Napa at 27.5% 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 Napa, CA a good place to work as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Napa veterinary technologist and technician salaries are 27.5% above the national average and 1.8% above the California state average. The metro area employs approximately 30 veterinary technologists and technicians. With a cost-of-living index of 112.554, 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 Napa?

The median veterinary technologist and technician salary in Napa is $63,733, and the 90th percentile earns $77,564. 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 Napa?

After adjusting for Napa's cost-of-living index of 112.554 (where 100 equals the national average), the $63,733 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $56,624 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Napa reduce the effective value of your salary by 11.2% 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 Napa?

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Napa earn a median hourly rate of $30.65, which translates to approximately $63,733/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $23.27 for entry-level positions to $37.28 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

Nearby Cities in California

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 $60,410 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Napa 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, 4-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

Last verified: