Vet Tech salary

Veterinary Technologist and Technician Salary in Vacaville, CA: $62,495 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time veterinary technologist and technician in Vacaville, CA earns a median $62,495/year (≈ $30.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-2056). Once you factor in Vacaville's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $55,256 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the California state average.

$62,495
Median Annual Salary
$30.05/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$47,681
Entry Level (P10)
$87,506
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

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

In 2026, veterinary technologists and technicians in Vacaville, CA, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $62,495, significantly surpassing the national average of $49,986 by approximately 25.03%. The salary range in this market spans from $47,681 at the 10th percentile to $87,506 at the 90th percentile, offering a variety of earning opportunities depending on experience and specialization. The figures reflect local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, accounting for regional cost adjustments. In a growing market where specialized credentials like VTS in emergency and critical care (ECC) or anesthesia can lead to higher pay, aspirants need to consider these pathways as they explore job opportunities in Vacaville.

About the Vacaville Market

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

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$47,681$22.93
Lower Range (P25)$51,491$24.75
Median (P50)(typical)$62,495$30.05
Upper Range (P75)$78,564$37.77
Top Earners (P90)$87,506$42.07

Median Salary Position

$47,681$87,506
City Median: $62,495
National: $49,986
P10–P90 Range

25.03% above the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Vacaville

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for veterinary technologist and technicians in Vacaville. The median salary is $62,495, compared to the national median of $49,986.$42.9K$55.2K$67.4K$79.6K$91.9K$47.7K10th Pctl$51.5K25th Pctl$62.5KMedian$78.6K75th Pctl$87.5K90th PctlUS Median$50.0K

In Vacaville, CA, the veterinary technologist and technician salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,825 (2026 est.). At $62,495, the local median is 25.03% 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 Vacaville metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$1,202
per week
$5,208
per month
$62,497
per year

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

How Vacaville Veterinary Technologist and Technician Pay Compares

Vacaville median: $62,495/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryVacaville Pays
California Average$62,620-0.20% less
National Average$49,986+25.03% more
Horizontal bar chart comparing veterinary technologist and technician median salary in Vacaville ($62,495) with California average ($62,620) and the US national median ($49,986).Vacaville$62,495California Avg$62,620-0.20%US National$49,986+25.03%

Veterinary Technologist and Technicians in Vacaville, CA earn a median of $62,495 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.03% higher than the national median of $49,986 and 0.20% below the California state average of $62,620.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$62,495
Nominal Salary
113.1
CoL Index
$55,256
Adjusted Salary

Vacaville 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 $62,495. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 113.1, the purchasing-power equivalent is $55,256, a loss of $7,239.$42.5K$49.8K$57.2K$64.5K$71.9K$62,495NominalSalary$55,256CoL Adjusted(CoL: 113.1) -11.58%US Median $50.0K

Vacaville, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $62,495 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $55,256 — a 11.58% reduction.

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2019 BLS Actual

$44,159

2025 BLS Actual

$59,237

2026 Current Est.

$62,495

2019–2027 Growth

+49.3%

Salary Trajectory for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Vacaville (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 Vacaville. Baseline $44,159 in 2025, projected to $65,932 by 2027.$39.8K$47.4K$55.0K$62.7K$70.3K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$44.2K$45.3K$46.1K$47.8K$54.7K$58.7K$59.2K$62.5K$65.9K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$44,159Actual
2020$45,334Actual
2021$46,072Actual
2022$47,810Actual
2023$54,686Actual
2024$58,690Actual
2025$59,237Actual
2026(current)$62,495Estimated
2027$65,932Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Vacaville metropolitan area, the median veterinary technologist and technician salary grew 34.1% from $44,159 (2019) to $59,237 (2025). At a 5.50% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,932 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,773 (49.31%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Vacaville 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)$47,681$51,491
3-5 years (Mid Career)$51,491$62,495
5+ years (Experienced)$62,495$78,564
10+ years (Top Earner)$78,564$87,506

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 Vacaville

Economic conditions also play a vital role in understanding the veterinary technologist and technician pay in Vacaville. With only 15 professionals currently employed in this field, the local job market is relatively tight, and as the cost-of-living index sits at 113.1, it indicates that taking home pay may not stretch as far as in less expensive areas. Among the highest-paying employers are specialty referral hospitals and corporate chain hospitals; positions in these institutions often offer premium pay scales compared to general practice veterinary clinics. Variability in compensation stems from factors like specialty expertise and the type of veterinary practice. For those wanting to maximize their earnings in Vacaville, pursuing VTS credentials and seeking positions in high-demand settings such as 24-hour emergency clinics can significantly improve salary prospects.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

The estimated 2026 median veterinary technologist and technician salary in Vacaville is $62,495/year ($30.05/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 5.50% annual growth). Salaries range from $47,681 at entry level (10th percentile) to $87,506 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Vacaville at 25.0% 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 Vacaville, CA a good place to work as a veterinary technologist and technician?

Vacaville veterinary technologist and technician salaries are 25.0% above the national average and 0.2% below the California state average. The metro area employs approximately 15 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 Vacaville?

The median veterinary technologist and technician salary in Vacaville is $62,495, and the 90th percentile earns $87,506. 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 Vacaville?

After adjusting for Vacaville's cost-of-living index of 113.1 (where 100 equals the national average), the $62,495 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $55,256 in an average-cost city. This means living costs in Vacaville 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 Vacaville?

Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in Vacaville earn a median hourly rate of $30.05, which translates to approximately $62,495/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $22.93 for entry-level positions to $42.07 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 $59,237 for veterinary technologists and techniciansin the Vacaville 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 Vacaville 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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