Salary distribution
Where California veterinary technologists and technicians fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $47,340 and $61,810, with a median of $55,080.
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in California: actual employer-disclosed pay
Public records from 9 certified H-1B Labor Condition Applications filed with the U.S. Department of Labor. Median offered wage: $45,864. Every figure below is an actual offered salary an employer attested to under federal law.
By DOL wage level
DOL classifies every offer into one of four wage levels based on the role's experience and skill requirements.
| Level | Filings | Median offer |
|---|---|---|
| Level II — qualified | 9 | $45,864 |
Top employers filing for this role
Companies with the most certified filings for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in California. Median offer is across all of that employer's filings.
| Employer | Most-filed title | Filings | Median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Southern California Veterinary Group, Inc. | Veterinary Technologist | 7 | $45,864 |
| Rose Canyon Pet Care Inc | Veterinary Technologist | 1 | $49,920 |
| Altadena Animal Hospital Inc | Veterinary Technician - Imaging, Surgery, Neurology | 1 | $48,901 |
Recent sample filings
A snapshot of recent certified offers. Each line is a real, public, verifiable record.
- Veterinary Technologist at Rose Canyon Pet Care Inc$49,920San DiegoWage Level IIDecided Jun 3, 2025I-200-25147-021412
- Veterinary Technologist at Southern California Veterinary Group, Inc.$45,864NorcoWage Level IIDecided May 7, 2025I-200-25121-925013
- Veterinary Technician - Imaging, Surgery, Neurology at Altadena Animal Hospital Inc$48,901AltadenaWage Level IIDecided Nov 1, 2024I-201-24301-435046
- Veterinary Technologist at Southern California Veterinary Group, Inc.$45,864NorcoWage Level IIDecided May 7, 2025I-200-25121-925064
- Veterinary Technologist at Southern California Veterinary Group, Inc.$45,864NorcoWage Level IIDecided May 7, 2025I-200-25121-925076
- Veterinary Technologist at Southern California Veterinary Group, Inc.$45,864NorcoWage Level IIDecided May 7, 2025I-200-25121-925031
- Veterinary Technologist at Southern California Veterinary Group, Inc.$45,864NorcoWage Level IIDecided May 7, 2025I-200-25121-925047
- Veterinary Technologist at Southern California Veterinary Group, Inc.$45,864NorcoWage Level IIDecided May 7, 2025I-200-25121-925052
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Foreign Labor Certification. Disclosed wages reflect what employers attested to pay; actual paid wages may differ. Only certified filings are shown — denied and withdrawn cases are excluded.
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians pay by experience level in California
Each band reflects DOL Wage Levels I-IV mapped onto a four-step ladder. Click a level to see the disclosed-wage range for that segment.
Wage trend
Median annual wage in California over the past 2 BLS OES releases. Real values are CPI-adjusted to 2024 dollars.
Typical entry
Education
Associate's degree
Experience
None
On-the-job training
None
Top skills (O*NET)
- 4.1 / 5
Medicine and Dentistry
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge
- 4.0 / 5
Biology
Knowledge
- 4.0 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 3.9 / 5
Inductive Reasoning
Ability
- 3.9 / 5
Deductive Reasoning
Ability
- 3.9 / 5
Oral Expression
Ability
- 3.9 / 5
Near Vision
Ability
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Administer anesthesia to animals, under the direction of a veterinarian, and monitor animals' responses to anesthetics so that dosages can be adjusted.
- 02
Care for and monitor the condition of animals recovering from surgery.
- 03
Maintain controlled drug inventory and related log books.
- 04
Perform laboratory tests on blood, urine, or feces, such as urinalyses or blood counts, to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of animal health problems.
- 05
Prepare and administer medications, vaccines, serums, or treatments, as prescribed by veterinarians.
- 06
Restrain animals during exams or procedures.
- 07
Administer emergency first aid, such as performing emergency resuscitation or other life saving procedures.
- 08
Clean and sterilize instruments, equipment, or materials.
10-year outlook
Growth 2024 → 2034
+9.1%
Projected annual openings
—
BLS outlook
Growing faster than average
Source: BLS Employment Projections, 2024–2034 cycle.
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Explore coursesTop metros in California
Metro-level salary data for veterinary technologists and technicians in major California metropolitan areas.
- San Francisco$66,300
- San Jose$60,180
- Sacramento$58,120
- San Diego$52,090
- Los Angeles$49,790
- Riverside$48,680
Compare Veterinary Technologists and Technicians pay across nearby states
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in California?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment Statistics, the median annual wage for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in California is $55,080.
- How does California compare to the national median for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians?
- The California median is +22.7% versus the BLS national figure of $44,872.
- What is the salary range for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians in California?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $41,020 and the 90th-percentile at $74,390, which captures most full-time workers in the role.
- Is Veterinary Technologists and Technicians a growing field?
- BLS Employment Projections show employment growing by 9.1% over the projection cycle. See the 10-year outlook section above for details.
- What education is required for Veterinary Technologists and Technicians?
- BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Associate's degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. Wage data reflects BLS estimates for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.