Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in San Francisco, CA: $75,000 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in San Francisco, CA earns a median $75,000/year (≈ $36.06/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in San Francisco's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.6), that paycheck buys what $64,872 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 19.8% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, veterinary technologists and technicians are projected to earn a median annual salary of $75,000 in San Francisco, CA, reflecting a robust pay scale predominantly influenced by corporate chains such as VCA and BluePearl. The salary range for this role will span from $57,054 at the 10th percentile to $84,326 at the 90th percentile, underscoring a competitive market driven by demand. These figures are derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, illustrating how district pay is significantly higher than the national median of $49,986. San Francisco's commitment to the veterinary field is evident, particularly as the local economy supports a strong workforce dedicated to animal care.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,054 | $27.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,038 | $30.78 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $75,000 | $36.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,513 | $37.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84,326 | $40.54 |
Median Salary Position
50.04% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Francisco
In San Francisco, CA, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,272 (2026 est.). At $75,000, the local median is 50.04% above the national median of $49,986.
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At 40 hours/week in San Francisco: You'd be above the median
How San Francisco Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
San Francisco median: $75,000/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Francisco Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $62,604 | +19.80% more |
| National Average | $49,986 | +50.04% more |
Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in San Francisco, CA earn a median of $75,000 per year (2026 est.), which is 50.04% higher than the national median of $49,986 and 19.80% above the California state average of $62,604.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Francisco has a cost of living 15.61% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Francisco, CA has a cost-of-living index of 115.613 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $75,000 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $64,872 — a 13.5% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,870
2025 BLS Actual
$71,090
2026 Current Est.
$75,000
2019–2027 Growth
+72.5%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in San Francisco (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,870 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,860 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,810 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,740 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,340 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,300 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,090 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,000 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,125 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Francisco metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 55.0% from $45,870 (2019) to $71,090 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,125 by 2027 — a total increase of $33,255 (72.50%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Francisco 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) | $57,054 – $64,038 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,038 – $75,000 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $75,000 – $78,513 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,513 – $84,326 |
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 Francisco
With 1,220 veterinary technologists and technicians employed in the area, San Francisco maintains a flourishing job market, particularly relevant given the rising cost of living index at 115.613. The disparity in wages often hinges on employers – corporate chain hospitals tend to offer higher salaries compared to general practice veterinary clinics, particularly for those with specialized qualifications like a Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) credential. To maximize earnings in this competitive setting, professionals should consider pursuing specialty certifications and seeking positions in specialty referral hospitals, which typically pay more than general practices. Moreover, understanding the corporate pay scale differences can help candidates position themselves favorably in negotiations. Those who lead or mentor teams, or who work in emergency and critical care, are also likely to command higher wages.
More salary data for San Francisco, 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 $71,090 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the San Francisco 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, 7-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