Vet Tech salary

Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Union City, CA: $62,765 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Union City, CA earns a median $62,765/year (≈ $30.17/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Union City's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $55,495 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% above the California state average.

$62,765
Median Annual Salary
$30.17/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$46,265
Entry Level (P10)
$80,647
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

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

In Union City, California, the projected median annual salary for veterinary technologists and technicians is $62,765 for the year 2026, reflecting a significant increase compared to national figures. Within this market, salaries range from $46,265 at the lower end to $80,647 for those at the top of the pay scale. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price parity and local employment trends. The competitive pay reflects the growing demand for veterinary professionals within corporate settings, especially in chains like VCA and BluePearl, which often set industry standards in compensation.

About the Union City Market

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

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$46,265$22.24
Lower Range (P25)$52,687$25.33
Median (P50)(typical)$62,765$30.17
Upper Range (P75)$74,818$35.98
Top Earners (P90)$80,647$38.77

Median Salary Position

$46,265$80,647
City Median: $62,765
National: $49,986
P10–P90 Range

25.57% above the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Union City

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for veterinary technologist and technicians in Union City. The median salary is $62,765, compared to the national median of $49,986.$41.6K$52.4K$63.2K$73.9K$84.7K$46.3K10th Pctl$52.7K25th Pctl$62.8KMedian$74.8K75th Pctl$80.6K90th PctlUS Median$50.0K

In Union City, CA, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,382 (2026 est.). At $62,765, the local median is 25.57% 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 Union City metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$1,207
per week
$5,230
per month
$62,760
per year

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

How Union City Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares

Union City median: $62,765/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryUnion City Pays
California Average$62,640+0.20% more
National Average$49,986+25.57% more
Horizontal bar chart comparing veterinary technologist and technician median salary in Union City ($62,765) with California average ($62,640) and the US national median ($49,986).Union City$62,765California Avg$62,640+0.20%US National$49,986+25.57%

Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Union City, CA earn a median of $62,765 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.57% higher than the national median of $49,986 and 0.20% above the California state average of $62,640.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$62,765
Nominal Salary
113.1
CoL Index
$55,495
Adjusted Salary

Union City 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 $62,765. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 113.1, the purchasing-power equivalent is $55,495, a loss of $7,270.$42.5K$49.9K$57.3K$64.8K$72.2K$62,765NominalSalary$55,495CoL Adjusted(CoL: 113.1) -11.58%US Median $50.0K

Union City, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $62,765 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $55,495 — a 11.58% reduction.

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2019 BLS Actual

$44,350

2025 BLS Actual

$59,493

2026 Current Est.

$62,765

2019–2027 Growth

+49.3%

Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Union City (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 Union City. Baseline $44,350 in 2025, projected to $66,217 by 2027.$40.0K$47.6K$55.3K$62.9K$70.6K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$44.4K$45.5K$46.3K$48.0K$54.9K$58.9K$59.5K$62.8K$66.2K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$44,350Actual
2020$45,530Actual
2021$46,271Actual
2022$48,016Actual
2023$54,922Actual
2024$58,944Actual
2025$59,493Actual
2026(current)$62,765Estimated
2027$66,217Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Union City metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 34.1% from $44,350 (2019) to $59,493 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,217 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,867 (49.31%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Union City 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)$46,265$52,687
3-5 years (Mid Career)$52,687$62,765
5+ years (Experienced)$62,765$74,818
10+ years (Top Earner)$74,818$80,647

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 Union City

The job market for veterinary technologists and technicians in Union City shows strength, with 11 professionals currently employed in the area. However, the cost of living index stands at 113.1, suggesting that while pay may appear attractive, local purchasing power is significantly impacted. Among employers, corporate chain hospitals typically offer the highest salaries, following by specialty referral hospitals. Factors influencing the pay range include specialized credentials such as the Veterinary Technician Specialist (VTS) designation, which can command higher wages, and the varying pay scales within general practice versus corporate and specialty settings. To maximize earning potential, aspiring technologists should consider pursuing additional certifications and seeking roles in areas with greater demand, such as emergency and critical care, where higher hourly rates are common.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The estimated 2026 median veterinary technologist and technician salary in Union City is $62,765/year ($30.17/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 5.50% annual growth). Salaries range from $46,265 at entry level (10th percentile) to $80,647 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Union City at 25.6% 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 Union City, CA a good place to work as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Union City veterinary technologist and technician salaries are 25.6% above the national average and 0.2% above the California state average. The metro area employs approximately 11 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 Union City?

The median veterinary technologist and technician salary in Union City is $62,765, and the 90th percentile earns $80,647. 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 Union City?

After adjusting for Union City's cost-of-living index of 113.1 (where 100 equals the national average), the $62,765 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $55,495 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Union City 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 Union City?

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Union City earn a median hourly rate of $30.17, which translates to approximately $62,765/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $22.24 for entry-level positions to $38.77 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 $59,493 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Union City 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 Union City 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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