Vet Tech salary

Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Oakley, CA: $60,622 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Oakley, CA earns a median $60,622/year (≈ $29.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Oakley's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $53,600 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the California state average.

$60,622
Median Annual Salary
$29.15/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$44,628
Entry Level (P10)
$79,744
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

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

In Oakley, California, the veterinary technologist and technician salary is projected to hit a median annual figure of $60,622 in 2026, significantly surpassing the national median of $49,986 by 21.28%. For professionals in this field, salaries range from $44,628 at the 10th percentile to $79,744 at the 90th percentile, based on estimates derived from BLS state-level data and BEA Regional Price Parities. The salary landscape in Oakley reflects not just the general demand for veterinary services, but also the added value of credentials such as the Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) in areas like Emergency and Critical Care or anesthesia. These qualifications can elevate earning potential substantially, making Oakley an appealing location for veterinary professionals looking to advance their careers.

About the Oakley Market

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

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$44,628$21.46
Lower Range (P25)$51,952$24.98
Median (P50)(typical)$60,622$29.15
Upper Range (P75)$73,722$35.45
Top Earners (P90)$79,744$38.34

Median Salary Position

$44,628$79,744
City Median: $60,622
National: $49,986
P10–P90 Range

21.28% above the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oakley

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for veterinary technologist and technicians in Oakley. The median salary is $60,622, compared to the national median of $49,986.$40.2K$51.1K$61.9K$72.8K$83.7K$44.6K10th Pctl$52.0K25th Pctl$60.6KMedian$73.7K75th Pctl$79.7K90th PctlUS Median$50.0K

In Oakley, CA, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $35,116 (2026 est.). At $60,622, the local median is 21.28% 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 Oakley metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$1,166
per week
$5,053
per month
$60,631
per year

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

How Oakley Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares

Oakley median: $60,622/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryOakley Pays
California Average$62,626-3.20% less
National Average$49,986+21.28% more
Horizontal bar chart comparing veterinary technologist and technician median salary in Oakley ($60,622) with California average ($62,626) and the US national median ($49,986).Oakley$60,622California Avg$62,626-3.20%US National$49,986+21.28%

Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Oakley, CA earn a median of $60,622 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.28% higher than the national median of $49,986 and 3.20% below the California state average of $62,626.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$60,622
Nominal Salary
113.1
CoL Index
$53,600
Adjusted Salary

Oakley 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 $60,622. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 113.1, the purchasing-power equivalent is $53,600, a loss of $7,022.$42.5K$49.3K$56.1K$62.9K$69.7K$60,622NominalSalary$53,600CoL Adjusted(CoL: 113.1) -11.58%US Median $50.0K

Oakley, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $60,622 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $53,600 — a 11.58% reduction.

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2019 BLS Actual

$42,836

2025 BLS Actual

$57,462

2026 Current Est.

$60,622

2019–2027 Growth

+49.3%

Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Oakley (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 Oakley. Baseline $42,836 in 2025, projected to $63,957 by 2027.$38.6K$46.0K$53.4K$60.8K$68.2K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$42.8K$44.0K$44.7K$46.4K$53.0K$56.9K$57.5K$60.6K$64.0K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$42,836Actual
2020$43,976Actual
2021$44,691Actual
2022$46,377Actual
2023$53,047Actual
2024$56,931Actual
2025$57,462Actual
2026(current)$60,622Estimated
2027$63,957Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oakley metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 34.1% from $42,836 (2019) to $57,462 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,957 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,121 (49.31%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oakley 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)$44,628$51,952
3-5 years (Mid Career)$51,952$60,622
5+ years (Experienced)$60,622$73,722
10+ years (Top Earner)$73,722$79,744

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 Oakley

Currently, Oakley employs a modest eight veterinary technologists and technicians, indicating a competitive job market amid a high demand for skilled professionals. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, the expenses in this area are above the national average, which can impact take-home pay. Local employers that are likely to offer higher salaries include specialty referral hospitals and corporate chains such as VCA and BluePearl, where the pay scales are typically structured to reflect advanced skill sets and specialties. Factors that influence the salary spread include the necessity of VTS credentials, various employer scales, and shifts in responsibility, particularly at 24-hour emergency hospitals. To maximize earnings in Oakley, targeting positions in specialty medicine or management roles, pursuing VTS certification, and seeking opportunities within larger corporate networks can be strategic moves for career growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The estimated 2026 median veterinary technologist and technician salary in Oakley is $60,622/year ($29.15/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 5.50% annual growth). Salaries range from $44,628 at entry level (10th percentile) to $79,744 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Oakley at 21.3% 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 Oakley, CA a good place to work as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Oakley veterinary technologist and technician salaries are 21.3% above the national average and 3.2% 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 Oakley?

The median veterinary technologist and technician salary in Oakley is $60,622, and the 90th percentile earns $79,744. 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 Oakley?

After adjusting for Oakley's cost-of-living index of 113.1 (where 100 equals the national average), the $60,622 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $53,600 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Oakley 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 Oakley?

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Oakley earn a median hourly rate of $29.15, which translates to approximately $60,622/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $21.46 for entry-level positions to $38.34 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 $57,462 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Oakley 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 Oakley 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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