Veterinary Technologists and Technicians Salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
The median pay for a veterinary technologists and technicians in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is $57,080/year ($27.44/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $40K at the entry level to $68K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 109.9), so that salary is closer to $51,938 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $4,214/month — about 113.1% of take-home, which is tight.
So what does $57K get you in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Santa Cruz-Watsonville’s Regional Price Parity (109.9). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About veterinary technologists and technicians
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Entry-level veterinary technologists and technicians (10th percentile) start around $40K. Mid-career wages sit at $57K. Top earners bring in $68K or more, a $28K spread from bottom to top.
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $59K | +28% | 2,250 |
| New York | $59K | +28% | 5,480 |
| District of Columbia | $56K | +22% | 160 |
| Virginia | $56K | +21% | 2,800 |
| California | $55K | +20% | 11,380 |
| Minnesota | $49K | +8% | 4,320 |
| Maine | $49K | +8% | 790 |
| Oregon | $49K | +6% | 1,640 |
| Connecticut | $49K | +6% | 1,800 |
| New Jersey | $49K | +6% | 3,500 |
| New Hampshire | $49K | +6% | 1,000 |
| Nevada | $49K | +6% | 910 |
| Illinois | $48K | +4% | 4,840 |
| Hawaii | $48K | +4% | 300 |
| Indiana | $48K | +3% | 2,340 |
| Michigan | $47K | +3% | 2,880 |
| Massachusetts | $47K | +3% | 3,900 |
| Delaware | $47K | +2% | 580 |
| Vermont | $47K | +1% | 420 |
| Maryland | $47K | +1% | 3,090 |
| Ohio | $46K | +1% | 4,720 |
| North Carolina | $45K | -1% | 3,650 |
| Wisconsin | $45K | -1% | 2,860 |
| South Dakota | $45K | -2% | 300 |
| Arizona | $45K | -2% | 3,390 |
| Rhode Island | $42K | -8% | 550 |
| Pennsylvania | $42K | -9% | 5,840 |
| Iowa | $42K | -9% | 1,070 |
| North Dakota | $41K | -11% | 330 |
| Florida | $40K | -12% | 10,130 |
| Montana | $40K | -14% | 600 |
| Utah | $39K | -14% | 1,590 |
| Nebraska | $39K | -15% | 680 |
| Kansas | $39K | -15% | 1,250 |
| Missouri | $39K | -15% | 1,650 |
| Georgia | $39K | -16% | 3,280 |
| New Mexico | $38K | -17% | 860 |
| South Carolina | $38K | -17% | 1,890 |
| Oklahoma | $38K | -18% | 970 |
| Wyoming | $38K | -18% | 270 |
| Texas | $37K | -19% | 16,170 |
| Kentucky | $37K | -19% | 1,980 |
| Tennessee | $37K | -20% | 2,270 |
| Idaho | $37K | -20% | 640 |
| West Virginia | $36K | -21% | 460 |
| Mississippi | $36K | -22% | 880 |
| Arkansas | $35K | -24% | 290 |
| Alabama | $30K | -34% | 2,260 |
| Louisiana | $30K | -35% | 1,780 |
Showing 1–10 of 49 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track veterinary technologists and technicians salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Santa Cruz-Watsonville numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do veterinary technologists and technicians make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median is $57,080 a year, that works out to about $27 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $40,440, and experienced veterinary technologists and technicians can clear $68,430. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $57K enough to live in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,849/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $4,214/month, which eats 109.5% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb, housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a veterinary technologists and technicians salary go in Santa Cruz-Watsonville?
Santa Cruz-Watsonville has a Regional Price Parity of 109.9 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median veterinary technologists and technicians salary is worth about $51,938 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do veterinary technologists and technicians get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.