Vet tech salary in California
Vet techs in California earned a median of $60,630 a year in May 2025, about $29.15 an hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That is 28% above the U.S. median of $47,380. Eight in ten earned between $48,240 (10th percentile) and $75,860 (90th percentile).
Vet tech pay in California
| Level | A year | An hour |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $48,240 | $23.19 |
| Median | $60,630 | $29.15 |
| 90th percentile | $75,860 | $36.47 |
California ranks 2 of 51 (the 50 states plus D.C.) by median vet tech pay. About 11,310 vet techs worked in California. BLS reports veterinary technologists (usually a four-year degree) and technicians (usually a two-year degree) as one group.
What clinics in California are posting now
Posted pay in California: 19 of these 23 listings, from 1 employer, state an hourly range. Ranges run from $26.00 to $41.00 an hour; the middle listing's midpoint is $32.00 an hour. These are employers' posted ranges, not survey data.
See the 23 open vet tech jobs in California.
Other veterinary roles in California
| Role | Median a year | Median an hour | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vet tech | $60,630 | $29.15 | $47,380 |
| Vet assistant | $46,260 | $22.24 | $38,150 |
| Veterinarian | $163,920 | $78.81 | $130,100 |
The credential in California
Title: Registered Veterinary Technician (RVT). "Registered veterinary technician", "veterinary technician" and "R.V.T." are protected titles.. Required to work as a tech: Yes, with conditions. Full rules: how to become a vet tech in California. Training: vet tech schools in California.
FAQ
How much does a vet tech make in California?
The median was $60,630 a year in May 2025 (BLS), 28% above the U.S. median of $47,380.
How much does a vet tech make an hour in California?
About $29.15 an hour at the median, from the BLS yearly figure of $60,630 divided by 2,080 hours.
How does California rank for vet tech pay?
California ranks 2 of 51 (the 50 states plus D.C.) by BLS median pay. The highest medians were District of Columbia ($61,270), California ($60,630), Washington ($59,740).
Do you need a license to be a vet tech in California?
Yes, with conditions. Registration is required to perform RVT-reserved tasks and to use the title. See the California guide.
Figures are BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) estimates for May 2025, the latest release, for wage and salary workers (the self-employed are not included). The median is the middle wage: half earned more, half earned less. Hourly figures are the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours, the way BLS converts between the two. Retrieved from the BLS Public Data API on November 5, 2026.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2025, veterinary technologists and technicians
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: OEWS state estimates (Public Data API)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook, Veterinary Technologists and Technicians
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