Browse below to learn about the steps to becoming a veterinary technician (vet tech) in California (CA), including advice on the best vet tech schools and related programs in your area as well as help with understanding certification and licensing requirements and information on salary and employment prospects.
Take the first step today by connecting with schools near you to request program and admissions information.
Accredited Vet Tech Schools in California
If you wish to become a vet tech in California, it is a requirement that you have graduated from an accredited veterinary technician/technology program. Vet tech programs in California are accredited by the American Veterinary Medicine Association (AVMA).
In 2023 there are 14 accredited vet tech schools in California offering associate degree programs at 24 locations throughout the state. There are currently no accredited distance education or online vet tech programs in California.
| School | Area | Degree Level |
|---|---|---|
| California State Polytechnic University | Pomona, CA | Bachelor in Animal Health Science |
| Carrington College | Citrus Heights Campus, CA | Associate in Science |
| Carrington College | Pleasant Hill | Associate in Science |
| Carrington College | Sacramento, CA | Associate in Science |
| Carrington College | San Jose | Associate in Science |
| Carrington College | San Leandro | Associate in Science |
| Carrington College | Stockton | Associate in Science |
| Central Coast College | Salinas CA | Associate of Applied Science |
| Cosumnes River College | Sacramento, CA | Associate in Science |
| Foothill College | Los Altos Hills, CA | Associate in Science |
| Los Angeles Pierce College | Woodland Hills, CA | Associate in Science |
| Mount San Antonio Collge | Walnut, CA | Associate in Science |
| Pima Medical Institure | Chula Vista, CA | Associate of Applied Science |
| Pima Medical Institure | San Marcos, CA | Associate of Applied Science |
| Platt College | Alhambra, CA | Associate in Science |
| Platt College | Anaheim, CA | Associate in Science |
| Platt College | Ontario, CA | Associate of Science |
| Platt College | Riverside, CA | Associate of Science |
| San Diego Mesa College | San Diego, CA | Associate of Science |
| San Jaoquin Valley College | Fresno, CA | Associate of Science |
| San Jaoquin Valley College | Ontario, CA | Associate of Science |
| Stanbridge University | Irvine, CA | Associate of Science |
| Ventura College | Ventura, CA | Associate of Science |
| Yuba College | Marysville, CA | Associate in Science |
Once you have graduated from an accredited program, you will need to pass the Veterinary Technician National Examination (VTNE) exams. These exams are administered by the American Association of Veterinary. As a final step, you must obtain your license before securing employment as a veterinary technician.
The map below provides a visual representation of veterinary technician schools near you in California. There are 8 medical assistant schools in Los Angeles and the Greater Los Angeles Area, 4 schools in the San Francisco Bay area, 3 schools in Sacramento and 2 in San Diego.
Click on each icon for more detailed school and contact information.
California Vet Tech Licensing Requirements
Once you have successfully graduated from an accredited program and passed all necessary certification examinations you will need to apply for your veterinary technician license in California.
The California Veterinary Medical Board can provide more specific information on all the necessary certification and licensing requirements. You can contact them directly using the contact details below:
Address: 1747 N. Market Boulevard, Suite 230, Sacramento, CA 95834-2934
Phone: 916-515-5220
Email: vmb@dca.ca.gov
Website: http://www.vmb.ca.gov/laws_regs/
Vet Tech Salary California
| Average Vet Tech Salary | $39,690 |
| Hourly Wage | $19.08 |
| Top 10% of Earners | $58,600 |
| Bottom 10% of Earners | $25,500 |
| #'s Employed | 9,780 |
According to the most recent Bureau of Labor Statistics data (May 2017) the average veterinary technician salary in California is $39,690 – 14% above the national average of $34,710.
This equates to an hourly wage of $19.08.
There are currently 9,780 persons employed as veterinary technicians in California.
California Vet Tech Employment and Salaries by Metro Area
If a career as a veterinary technician in California strongly appeals to you then it is a great time to pursue your dreams. The demand for vet techs has been steadily on the increase over the last ten years and is projected to grow by 14.7% over the coming years with an additional 14,330 jobs predicted to be created in the sector between 2016 and 2024.
The table below details the salary and employment levels of veterinary technicians in the main towns and cities in California.
| Metro Area | Average Salary | Top 10% | Bottom 10% | # Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anaheim-Santa Ana-Irvine, CA | $41,260 | $61,150 | $25,980 | 1,180 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $29,940 | $45,030 | $21,720 | 170 |
| Chico, CA | $36,420 | $46,980 | $26,870 | 70 |
| Fresno, CA | $34,250 | $43,340 | $26,780 | 110 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $40,630 | $60,390 | $26,280 | 2,850 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Glendale, CA | $40,190 | $58,580 | $26,610 | 1,670 |
| Modesto, CA | $32,200 | $39,690 | $23,470 | 190 |
| Napa, CA | $38,120 | $50,650 | $26,860 | 30 |
| Oakland-Hayward-Berkeley, CA | $42,670 | $56,680 | $32,840 | 720 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $40,830 | $59,600 | $25,520 | - |
| Redding, CA | $33,990 | $47,960 | $23,210 | 90 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $46,600 | $61,200 | $33,970 | 520 |
| Sacramento--Roseville--Arden-Arcade, CA | $29,060 | $37,020 | $22,970 | 1,190 |
| Salinas, CA | $38,110 | $49,260 | $27,540 | 130 |
| San Diego-Carlsbad, CA | $44,290 | $61,630 | $29,860 | - |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA | $44,430 | $60,420 | $32,310 | 1,180 |
| San Francisco-Redwood City-South San Francisco, CA | $47,960 | $62,190 | $24,810 | 360 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $43,560 | $62,240 | $25,470 | 540 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, CA | $38,260 | $49,270 | $26,720 | 50 |
| San Rafael, CA | $44,360 | $68,910 | $29,330 | 100 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $46,740 | $61,700 | $28,330 | 150 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $40,830 | $54,400 | $30,090 | 110 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $41,890 | $50,800 | $32,610 | 290 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $33,230 | $48,060 | $23,660 | 190 |
| Vallejo-Fairfield, CA | $37,430 | $60,400 | $23,660 | 110 |
| Visalia-Porterville, CA | $28,170 | $36,220 | $22,320 | 80 |
Vet Tech V’s Related Careers
The first table compares salary and employment data between veterinary technicians and veterinarians and veterinary assistants in California.
| Salary | # Employed | |
|---|---|---|
| Vet Tech California | $39,690 | 9,780 |
| Veterinarian California | $120,300 | 6,480 |
| Vet Assistant California | $31,220 | 11,410 |
The table below compares the average veterinary technician salary and employment in California with salary levels for related healthcare careers in the state.
| Salary | # Employed | |
|---|---|---|
| Vet Tech | $39,690 | 9,780 |
| Nursing Assistants | $33,560 | 98,570 |
| Dental Assistants | $39,930 | 50,100 |
| Medical Assistants | $36,630 | 89,910 |
| Ultrasound Tech | $91,700 | 6,380 |
| X Ray Tech | $87,520 | 3,460 |