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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Description
Registered Veterinary Technician
Santa Rosa, CA
More than a word, care is present in everything you do. At Eye Care for Animals, a Thrive Pet Healthcare partner, we take action to empower your best care for pets, their families, and yourself.
We are a community of 400 clinics forming an extraordinary network of unparalleled resources and people. Through outstanding learning and career options, comprehensive benefits, and abundant support, you’ll be nurtured and appreciated for who you are and what you bring to the table. We come together in both the joys and heartaches of our profession to lift each other up through laughter and empathy.
And, we have plenty of fun along the way!
Who we are
At Eye Care for Animals, you’ll feel the warmth and openness of a small clinic, while having the opportunity and support of a united network.
Eye Care for Animals is dedicated to providing the finest in veterinary ophthalmology services. Our staff of board certified ophthalmologists and clinical specialists provide the highest level of care, education, and understanding to our clients, their pets, and our referring veterinarians.
Provide your best care with more bridges and less barriers.
Eye Care for Animals is looking for a Full Time Veterinary Technician to join us as part of the Thrive Pet Healthcare community.
As a Veterinary Technician, you’ll play an important role in pets’ lives by providing end-to-end care for our precious patients. Your life-changing work will range from the hands-on care of facilitating outpatient treatments and performing laboratory tests, to support services including admitting and discharging patients.
Role Responsibilities:
- Support veterinarians to ensure quality veterinary care, advocate for pets, and educate clients.
- With each hospital function, assist veterinarians and the medical team to maximize productivity and maintain positive patient flow.
- Assist with surgeries and procedures in accordance with your state's Veterinary Practice Act outlined for credentialed veterinary technicians.
- Communicate with clients about individualized pet health concerns and offer guidance on Thrive Membership options, medications, and additional treatments.
- Assist in maintaining relevant, comprehensive medical records with the support of practice systems.
- Obtain relevant health history and information from clients and maintain medical charts.
- Use safe restraining techniques, follow standard protocols, and sustain clean, sterile, organized treatment areas, exam rooms, and labs.
- Be willing to guide, mentor, and support fellow team members.
Experience & Skills Requirements:
- Previous veterinary technician/assistant experience required
- Registered Veterinary Technician preferred
- Proficient in IV catheters placement, blood work, and IV, IM and SQ injections
- Proficient in monitoring anesthesia and working with various monitoring equipment
- Team player
- Eager to learn and is self-motivated
- Enjoys a challenging and fast-paced environment
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- Ability to multi-task with a smile
You’ll Grow With Us
Here, you can grow your career as best fits you through access to comprehensive learning and skillset programs. You can build your skills and earn credentials through:
- Our vast, diverse, and free library of continuing education courses - ThriveU
- Live, virtual interactive workshops to develop valuable leadership skills
- A program to designed to teach you the fundamentals of running a pet hospital
- Scholarship opportunities and tuition reimbursement
And, with so many locations nationwide, you can find and move into any specialty, hospital type, or environment. Join us and provide your best care at a clinic that is deeply rooted within its community and bolstered by the resources of Thrive Pet Healthcare.
Benefits – our care in action
We provide benefits spread comprehensively across your mental, physical, emotional, and financial wellbeing designed to meet your needs as a unique individual. Some key benefits include:
- Paid time off including 8-weeks of full-pay parental leave, bereavement to grieve both humans and pets, and time off for new pet adoptions
- Top quality medical, dental, and vision insurance plus health savings account and flexible spending account
- Pet perks including free exams, discounts on products and services, and more at all Thrive Pet Healthcare locations
- Generously subsidized backup and ongoing care support for children, adults, and pets
- Mental health benefits including coaching and therapy sessions
- 401k with employer contribution and no waiting period
- Continuing education and development support through our library of free CE courses and paid time off to complete
- Scholarship opportunities and student loan support program
and so much more!
Compensation negotiable based on credentials and experience with a hourly pay rate starting at $28 - $34 / hour. The actual rate offered will carefully consider a wide range of factors, including your skills, qualifications, experience, and location.
5 Day Work Week (8 hour shifts)
At Thrive Pet Healthcare, we celebrate and embrace the uniqueness and diversity of all of our team members, pet parents, and pets. We strive to create a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture where all team members belong and feel empowered.
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 JobsVeterinary Technician Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Veterinary Technician Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Ethos Veterinary Health45

- PetVet Care Centers37

- VCA Animal Hospitals29

- VEG ER for Pets19

- 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
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