Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Santa Rosa, CA: $65,347 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Santa Rosa, CA earns a median $65,347/year (≈ $31.42/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Santa Rosa's price level (8% above national, BEA RPP 107.8), that paycheck buys what $60,628 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.3% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Santa Rosa, California, veterinary technologists and technicians can expect a median annual salary of $65,347, which is a significant 30.73% higher than the national median of $49,986 for this role in 2026. The salary range for these professionals spans from $48,287 at the 10th percentile (P10) to $78,397 at the 90th percentile (P90). This data, which is based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, reflects the growing demand for veterinary technicians in the region. Santa Rosa's healthcare market is demonstrating robust growth, with opportunities available in specialty hospitals or corporate chain environments, often impacting salary potential based on the setting in which one works.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,287 | $23.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,844 | $29.73 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,347 | $31.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75,011 | $36.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,397 | $37.68 |
Median Salary Position
30.73% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Santa Rosa
In Santa Rosa, CA, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $30,110 (2026 est.). At $65,347, the local median is 30.73% above the national median of $49,986.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Santa Rosa: You'd be above the median
How Santa Rosa Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares
Santa Rosa median: $65,347/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Santa Rosa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $62,653 | +4.30% more |
| National Average | $49,986 | +30.73% more |
Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Santa Rosa, CA earn a median of $65,347 per year (2026 est.), which is 30.73% higher than the national median of $49,986 and 4.30% above the California state average of $62,653.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Santa Rosa has a cost of living 7.78% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Santa Rosa, CA has a cost-of-living index of 107.784 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $65,347 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $60,628 — a 7.22% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$39,220
2025 BLS Actual
$61,940
2026 Current Est.
$65,347
2019–2027 Growth
+75.8%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Santa Rosa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.50% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,220 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,350 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,140 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,150 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,960 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,010 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,940 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,347 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,941 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Santa Rosa metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 57.9% from $39,220 (2019) to $61,940 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,941 by 2027 — a total increase of $29,721 (75.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Rosa 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) | $48,287 – $61,844 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,844 – $65,347 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,347 – $75,011 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $75,011 – $78,397 |
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 Santa Rosa
With roughly 250 veterinary technologists and technicians employed in the area, Santa Rosa presents a competitive job market. The cost of living in the city is above the national average, with a cost-of-living index of 107.784, which may affect take-home pay and purchasing power for those in this field. Employers such as specialty referral hospitals and corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl typically offer higher compensation than general practice clinics. The income disparity among positions can largely be attributed to factors such as specialty credentials like VTS, corporate pay scales, and varying shifts, especially in emergency and critical care settings. For those seeking to maximize their veterinary technologist and technician pay in Santa Rosa CA, pursuing advanced certifications and seeking roles in high-demand specialties can be beneficial in achieving higher earnings.
More salary data for Santa Rosa, 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 $61,940 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Santa Rosa 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