Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in San Clemente, CA: $62,279 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in San Clemente, CA earns a median $62,279/year (≈ $29.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in San Clemente's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $55,065 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In San Clemente, California, the median annual veterinary technologist and technician salary is projected to reach $62,279 in 2026, significantly surpassing the national median of $49,986. This reflects a robust market opportunity, leveraging the growing demand for professionals in the field and the increasing recognition of specialty credentials. Salary ranges for these positions can vary widely, with estimates indicating a floor of $45,062 and a ceiling of $85,115, depending on experience and qualifications. These figures stem from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, and take into account regional cost adjustments that affect take-home pay. San Clemente's vibrant job market presents an advantageous environment for those pursuing a career in veterinary technology.
About the San Clemente Market
Salary estimated from California average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,062 | $21.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,693 | $24.86 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,279 | $29.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,437 | $37.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,115 | $40.92 |
Median Salary Position
24.59% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Clemente
In San Clemente, CA, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,053 (2026 est.). At $62,279, the local median is 24.59% above the national median of $49,986.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Clemente: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Clemente Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
San Clemente median: $62,279/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Clemente Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $62,655 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $49,986 | +24.59% more |
Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in San Clemente, CA earn a median of $62,279 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.59% higher than the national median of $49,986 and 0.60% below the California state average of $62,655.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Clemente has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Clemente, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $62,279 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $55,065 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,006
2025 BLS Actual
$59,032
2026 Current Est.
$62,279
2019–2027 Growth
+49.3%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in San Clemente (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,006 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,177 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,912 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,644 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,497 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,487 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,032 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,279 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,704 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Clemente metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 34.1% from $44,006 (2019) to $59,032 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,704 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,698 (49.31%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Clemente 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) | $45,062 – $51,693 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,693 – $62,279 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,279 – $77,437 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,437 – $85,115 |
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 San Clemente
Despite having only ten veterinary technologists and technicians currently employed in the area, San Clemente's cost of living, illustrated by a cost-of-living index of 113.1, denotes a nuanced reality for professionals in the field. It’s crucial for job seekers to consider local employers, as corporate chain hospitals like VCA and BluePearl often offer higher pay scales compared to general practice clinics. The variance in compensation largely hinges on factors such as the VTS specialty credential, which can elevate earning potential, particularly in emergency and critical care settings. With a projected growth rate of 5.50% for this occupation, aspirants can maximize their earnings by pursuing further specialization or seeking roles in specialty referral hospitals, which tend to offer more competitive salaries than standard clinical environments. Understanding these dynamics will be essential for anyone evaluating the veterinary technologist and technician pay in San Clemente, CA.
More salary data for San Clemente, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinary technologists and technicians make in San Clemente, CA in 2026?
Is San Clemente, CA a good place to work as a veterinary technologist and technician?
Can veterinary technologists and technicians make $100K in San Clemente?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted veterinary technologist and technician salary in San Clemente?
How much does a veterinary technologist and technician make per hour in San Clemente?
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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 $59,032 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the San Clemente 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 San Clemente 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