Veterinary Technician Jobs in California

Veterinary Technician jobs in California represent one of the most active markets in the country, with demand concentrated in companion animal hospitals, emergency and specialty clinics, research institutions, and zoological facilities across roles from entry-level vet tech to senior clinical technician. Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Diego account for the heaviest hiring activity, with large established employers like VCA Animal Hospitals, Banfield Pet Hospital, and UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital consistently posting openings. The most in-demand specialties are emergency and critical care, internal medicine, and exotic animal care. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles376+
Top employerEthos Veterinary Health
Top citySan Diego, CA
Cities hiring158
Work type98% On-site
Top industryAnimal Care

Showing 5 of 376+ Veterinary Technician jobs

Thrive Pet Healthcare
Registered Veterinary Technician-Ophthalmology
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Thrive Pet Healthcare
New 20h ago
Registered Veterinary Technician-Ophthalmology
Thrive Pet Healthcare
Santa Rosa, California
Biotech & Life Sciences
Clinical Support
Laboratory Science
$28 - $34/hr
Veterinary Technician Certification
10,000+

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C
Veterinary Technician 2 years experience required
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C
New 22h ago
Veterinary Technician 2 years experience required
Clairemont Village Pet Clinic
San Diego, California
Biotech & Life Sciences
Clinical Support
Laboratory Science
$20 - $25/hr
On-Site
Veterinary Technician Certification

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South Park Animal Hospital
Registered Veterinary Technician
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South Park Animal Hospital
New 23h ago
Registered Veterinary Technician
South Park Animal Hospital
San Francisco, California
Maintenance & Repair
Skilled Trades
Technical Program Management
$32 - $45/hr
On-Site
Veterinary Technician Certification
11-50

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VEG ER for Pets
Emergency Credentialed Veterinary Technician (Overnight) - San Ramon, CA
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VEG ER for Pets
Added 1d ago
Emergency Credentialed Veterinary Technician (Overnight) - San Ramon, CA
VEG ER for Pets
San Ramon, California
Maintenance & Repair
Skilled Trades
Technical Program Management
$27 - $56/hr
Veterinary Technician Certification
1,001-5,000

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P
Veterinary Assistant and Technician
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P
Added 1d ago
Veterinary Assistant and Technician
Pawsh Place Veterinary
Santa Rosa, California
Biotech & Life Sciences
Clinical Support
Laboratory Science
$19 - $23/hr
On-Site
High school diploma or GED

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See All 376+ Veterinary Technician Jobs in California

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Veterinary Technician Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Culver City
11 jobs
Long Beach
10 jobs
Irvine
8 jobs
Santa Cruz
8 jobs
Dublin
7 jobs
Concord
7 jobs

Veterinary Technician Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • Ethos Veterinary Health
    Ethos Veterinary Health45
  • PetVet Care Centers
    PetVet Care Centers37
  • VCA Animal Hospitals
    VCA Animal Hospitals29
  • VEG ER for Pets
    VEG ER for Pets19
  • Petco
    Petco16

Top Industries Hiring

  • Animal Care & Pet Services79
  • Healthcare & Medical Services8
  • Consumer Goods4
  • Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals3
  • Food & Beverage2

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in veterinary technician jobs across California.

  • Active registration with the California Veterinary Medical Board as a Registered Veterinary Technician
  • Associate or bachelor's degree in veterinary technology from an AVMA-accredited program
  • Demonstrated proficiency in anesthesia monitoring, surgical prep, and patient recovery
  • Experience with digital radiography, laboratory diagnostics, and in-house testing equipment
  • Strong client communication skills and ability to educate pet owners on care plans
  • Ability to handle and restrain animals of varying sizes and temperaments safely

Veterinary Technician Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a veterinary technician in California?

You become a veterinary technician in California by earning an associate or bachelor's degree from an AVMA-accredited veterinary technology program, then passing the Veterinary Technician National Examination and registering with the California Veterinary Medical Board as a Registered Veterinary Technician. The RVT credential is required to practice legally in California. Some employers will consider candidates who are actively enrolled in an accredited program and awaiting board registration.

How much do veterinary technicians make in California?

Veterinary technicians in California earn a median of about $60,630 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $48,240 for the lowest 10% to over $75,860 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.

Which companies hire veterinary technicians in California?

Employers hiring veterinary technicians in California right now include Ethos Veterinary Health, PetVet Care Centers, and VCA Animal Hospitals, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. California's density of specialty and emergency referral hospitals, university teaching hospitals, and corporate multi-location practices means a wide range of employer types and practice settings are actively recruiting.

Which California cities have the most veterinary technician jobs?

San Diego, Los Angeles, and San Francisco have the most veterinary technician openings in California. Los Angeles and San Diego drive volume through their high population density and concentration of corporate veterinary groups, specialty referral centers, and emergency hospitals, while the San Francisco Bay Area adds demand from both companion animal practices and research institutions affiliated with UC campuses.

Are there remote veterinary technician jobs in California?

Yes, but they're rare. Veterinary technology is fundamentally a hands-on clinical role, so most positions require on-site presence for patient care, anesthesia monitoring, and laboratory work. About 2% of veterinary technician openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those opportunities are concentrated in roles such as veterinary telehealth triage, pharmaceutical sales support, and veterinary technical writing.

How can I get hired as a veterinary technician in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is applying for veterinary assistant or kennel technician roles at California-based corporate practices like VCA Animal Hospitals or Banfield Pet Hospital, which run structured onboarding programs that bridge candidates into RVT-track positions. Completing an externship through your AVMA-accredited program at a California emergency or specialty hospital significantly strengthens early applications. Obtaining your California RVT registration before or shortly after graduation, even without clinical experience, signals commitment and makes you eligible for new-grad technician openings that unlicensed candidates cannot fill.

Where can I find and apply to veterinary technician jobs in California?

You can find and apply to veterinary technician jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings from employers actively hiring in the state. Search the listings, find roles that fit your credentials and preferred location, and apply directly.

See All 376+ Veterinary Technician Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Veterinary Technician Jobs