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Vet Tech Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Every tail wag, every vet visit, every step of the way. We are 29,000+ strong and together we nurture the pet-human bond in more than 1,500 Petco stores across the U.S., Mexico and Puerto Rico, 250 ...

Every tail wag, every vet visit, every step of the way. We are 29,000+ strong and together we nurture the pet-human bond in more than 1,500 Petco stores across the U.S., Mexico and Puerto Rico, 250 ...

Registered Vet Tech

San Leandro, CA · On-site

$27.52 - $39.75/hr

If you are a current associate, you will need to apply through our internal career site. Please log into Workday and click on the Jobs Hub app or search for Browse Jobs. Registered Veterinary ...

Relief Veterinary Technician (Per Diem) - Mobile Location: Sacramento, CA Schedule: As-needed / per diem BlueSky At-Home Veterinary Care provides exceptional veterinary care right in clients' homes.

New

Registered Vet Tech

Vacaville, CA · On-site

$24.22 - $34.98/hr

If you are a current associate, you will need to apply through our internal career site. Please log into Workday and click on the Jobs Hub app or search for Browse Jobs. Certified Veterinary ...

Registered Vet Tech

San Jose, CA · On-site

$27.52 - $39.75/hr

If you are a current associate, you will need to apply through our internal career site. Please log into Workday and click on the Jobs Hub app or search for Browse Jobs. Registered Veterinary ...

Registered Vet Tech

Encinitas, CA · On-site

$24.22 - $34.98/hr

If you are a current associate, you will need to apply through our internal career site. Please log into Workday and click on the Jobs Hub app or search for Browse Jobs. Registered Veterinary ...

Registered Vet Tech

Santa Rosa, CA · On-site

$27.52 - $39.75/hr

If you are a current associate, you will need to apply through our internal career site. Please log into Workday and click on the Jobs Hub app or search for Browse Jobs. Registered Veterinary ...

Registered Vet Tech

Sacramento, CA · On-site

$24.22 - $34.98/hr

If you are a current associate, you will need to apply through our internal career site. Please log into Workday and click on the Jobs Hub app or search for Browse Jobs. Registered Veterinary ...

Registered Vet Tech

Lake Forest, CA · On-site

$24.22 - $34.98/hr

If you are a current associate, you will need to apply through our internal career site. Please log into Workday and click on the Jobs Hub app or search for Browse Jobs. Registered Veterinary ...

Registered Vet Tech

Roseville, CA · On-site

$24.22 - $34.98/hr

If you are a current associate, you will need to apply through our internal career site. Please log into Workday and click on the Jobs Hub app or search for Browse Jobs. Registered Veterinary ...

REG VET TECH

San Mateo, CA · On-site

$25 - $35/hr

Job Title: Registered Veterinary Technician FLSA Status: Non-Exempt; Part Time ( 24-30 hours per week) (Will consider Full Time) Salary: $25.00-$35.00/hour (DOE); plus Sign-on Bonus ($2,500 - $5,000 ...

Registered Vet Tech

Sacramento, CA · On-site

$24.22 - $34.98/hr

If you are a current associate, you will need to apply through our internal career site. Please log into Workday and click on the Jobs Hub app or search for Browse Jobs. Registered Veterinary ...

Registered Vet Tech

Poway, CA · On-site

$24.22 - $34.98/hr

If you are a current associate, you will need to apply through our internal career site. Please log into Workday and click on the Jobs Hub app or search for Browse Jobs. Registered Veterinary ...

Registered Vet Tech

Canoga Park, CA · On-site

$24.22 - $34.98/hr

If you are a current associate, you will need to apply through our internal career site. Please log into Workday and click on the Jobs Hub app or search for Browse Jobs. Registered Veterinary ...

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Showing results 1-20

Vet Tech information

See California salary details

$11

$21

$31

How much do vet tech jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for vet tech in California is $21.42, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.55 and $24.42 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a vet tech, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Vet Tech, you need a solid background in animal science, clinical procedures, and a veterinary technician certification (such as an associate’s degree and passing the VTNE). Familiarity with veterinary practice management software, laboratory equipment, and digital radiography is typically required. Compassion, attention to detail, and effective communication are standout soft skills for this role. These abilities ensure safe, high-quality animal care and smooth collaboration within veterinary teams.

What are some common challenges veterinary technicians face in a clinical setting?

Veterinary technicians often encounter challenges such as managing emotionally charged situations with pet owners, handling unpredictable animal behavior, and balancing multiple urgent tasks simultaneously. They are frequently required to work in fast-paced environments, sometimes with long or irregular hours, especially in emergency clinics. Effective communication and strong teamwork with veterinarians and other staff members are essential to ensure high-quality patient care and client satisfaction.

What is the difference between Vet Tech vs Veterinary Assistant?

AspectVet TechVeterinary Assistant
Required CredentialsAssociate degree, certification (e.g., CVT)High school diploma or equivalent, on-the-job training
Work EnvironmentClinics, hospitals, labs, performing technical tasksAnimal shelters, clinics, assisting with basic care
Job ResponsibilitiesAdministering medications, collecting samples, assisting in surgeriesFeeding, bathing, restraining animals, cleaning

Vet Techs have specialized training and certifications, allowing them to perform technical tasks in veterinary settings. Veterinary Assistants support daily operations with basic animal care. While both roles work closely with animals and veterinary teams, Vet Techs handle more complex procedures and require formal education and certification.

What is a vet tech?

Vet Techs, or Veterinary Technicians, are trained professionals who assist veterinarians in providing medical care to animals. They perform a variety of tasks such as conducting laboratory tests, preparing animals for surgery, administering medications, and assisting during procedures. Vet Techs also help with patient care, client communication, and maintaining medical records. Their role is essential in ensuring the smooth operation of veterinary clinics and hospitals. To become a Vet Tech, one typically needs to complete an accredited veterinary technology program and pass a credentialing exam.

Is getting a vet tech degree worth it?

A vet tech degree prepares individuals for a career assisting veterinarians with animal care, diagnostics, and treatments. It typically involves completing a formal education program and obtaining certification, which can lead to employment in veterinary clinics, shelters, or research facilities. The degree provides practical skills and can improve job prospects and earning potential in the veterinary field.
What are the most commonly searched types of Vet Tech jobs in California? The most popular types of Vet Tech jobs in California are:
What cities in California are hiring for Vet Tech jobs? Cities in California with the most Vet Tech job openings:
Infographic showing various Vet Tech job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 64% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 2% Temporary, 10% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 91% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $44,553 per year, or $21.4 per hour.

Vet Tech

Petco

Huntington Beach, CA • On-site

Other

Medical, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted yesterday


Petco rating

5.7

Company rating: 5.7 out of 10

Based on 637 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

457th of 730 rated retailers


Job description

Want to help pets live their best lives?
We're proud to be where the pets go and where the pet people go. If you want to make a real difference, create an exciting career path, feel welcome to be your whole self and nurture your wellbeing, Petco is the place for you.
Our core values capture that spirit as we work to improve lives by doing what's right for pets and people.

  • Pet First - Protect & Empower. All pets should Live their Best Life. We put the needs of pets and pet parents at the center of everything we do.
  • Foster the Fun - Connect & Bond. Our Passion for pets brings us together! We celebrate the journey of pet parenthood through district experiences, products, and services.
  • Let's Go! Own & Commit. We are stronger as One Petco team. We bring our unique superpowers and champion authenticity in everyone to drive success.
About Petco:
We're proud to be "where the pets go" to find everything they need to live their best lives for more than 60 years - from their favorite meals and toys, to trusted supplies and expert support from people who get it, because we live it. We believe in the universal truths of pet parenthood - the boundless boops, missing slippers, late night zoomies and everything in between. And we're here for it. Every tail wag, every vet visit, every step of the way. We are 29,000+ strong and together we nurture the pet-human bond in more than 1,500 Petco stores across the U.S., Mexico and Puerto Rico, 250+ Vetco Total Care hospitals, hundreds of preventive care clinics and eight distribution centers. In 1999, we founded Petco Love. Together, we support thousands of local animal welfare groups nationwide and have helped find homes for approximately 7 million animals through in-store adoption events.
Position Purpose:
The purpose of this Veterinarian Technician position inherently involves providing excellent veterinary care to our Vetco Total Care full-service hospital patients and phenomenal customer care to their owners. The Veterinary Technician represents the mission and values to all clients and partners. Our Veterinary Technicians set the tone for the technical and customer support team in the hospital, and are responsible, like all team members, for fostering cohesion and motivation within the hospital partners.
All hospital partners are responsible for performing duties in a way that creates an environment in which:
  • The patient's needs always come first.
  • Every team member understands that they have the power to do what it takes to create an exceptional customer and patient experience.
  • contentious issues are dealt with and resolved as they occur when possible, or as soon as is possible.
  • exceptional teamwork and commitment to shared goals benefits the entire organization.
Essential Job Functions:
The incumbent must be able to perform all the following duties and responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodation:
  • Greet clients and patients arriving for appointments or walk-ins and escort into an exam room, obtain weight and vital signs (temperature, pulse, respirations, pain score, body condition score), record all in the electronic medical record, and begin documentation of the patient visit in the electronic medical record by obtaining and recording a thorough patient history.
  • Assist veterinarian with appointments (routine and emergency), surgery, dentistry, and euthanasia's, taking direct supervision from the veterinarian(s) and the Hospital Office Manager or Hospital Leader on Duty.
  • Perform patient restraint, obtain and process laboratory samples, handle and dispense medications at the direction of the veterinarian, and maintain the electronic medical record.
  • Schedule appointments, communicate with and educate clients, relay test results to doctor and clients, maintain and update inventory as well as client/patient records, and manage accounts receivable.
  • Prepare patients for surgical and dental procedures, safely support induction and monitoring of anesthetized patients including checking and recording vital parameters (under direction of the veterinarian), monitor patients during recovery, and prepare them for discharge to owner or transfer to an overnight care facility as needed.
  • Provide in-hospital treatments for sick patients including giving injectable and oral medications as well as intravenous therapies; keep patients clean, watered, and fed (when indicated and directed by veterinarian), and safely walk canine patients when necessary for elimination.
  • Participate in the training of new staff members and general dissemination of knowledge as required.
  • Keep hospital environment neat and clean; perform regular cleaning of environment based on necessity as well as based on a pre-determined maintenance schedule.
Other Duties and Responsibilities:
  • Perform additional duties as assigned.
  • Provide backup phone and front desk support as needed.
Nature of Supervision:
In all activities related to the care of patients, the Veterinary Technician will take direct supervision from the veterinarians as well as the Hospital Office Manager or Hospital Leader on Duty. For purposes of overall supervision, the Veterinary Technician takes direction from the Hospital Office Manager.
Planning and Problem Solving:
Like all team members, the Veterinary Technician plays a crucial role in ensuring that day-to-day operation of the hospital is efficient and provides an optimal experience for our patients and clients.
Impact:
This position will impact the organization by contributing to the growth of a productive practice while focusing on a high-quality standard of care. From an overall hospital organizational standpoint, this position in critical to ensuring that we have a cohesive, well-trained, and motivated technical team. The desired result is the creation of an optimal environment that ensures employee retention, patient well-being, and customer satisfaction.
Supervisory Responsibility:
This position has no immediate supervisory duties.
Education/Experience:
  • College or college-equivalent education (completed) as required in becoming a Credentialed Veterinary Technician in the state in which the hospital is located.
  • Must have at least 1-year previous experience as a Veterinary Technician or working in a veterinary practice.
  • Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Must be compassionate and sympathetic and be able to maintain a professional attitude and demeanor during emotional and stressful situations.
  • Must have telephone and computer skills.
  • Must be a team player willing to learn new techniques and treatments, offer creative ideas, and accept change.

Work Environment:
The majority of job duties are conducted in the Vetco Total Care full-service hospital. Position requires bending, kneeling, lifting (up to 30 pounds, as necessary) and standing for long periods of time. A large amount of this partner's time will be spent in direct contact with clients and their pets.
Contacts:
This position will regularly communicate with clients, veterinary specialists, and companies that provide products and/or services that the practice utilizes.
Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.
Petco Animal Supplies, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or any other protected classification.
The pay ranges outlined below are presented in accordance with state-specific regulations. These ranges may differ in other areas and could be subject to variation based on regulatory minimum wage requirements. Actual pay rates will depend on factors such as position, location, level of experience, and applicable state or local minimum wage laws. If the regulatory minimum wage exceeds the minimum indicated in the pay range below, the regulatory minimum wage will be the minimum rate applied.
$18.75 - $30.25
Hourly or Salary Range will be reflected above. For a more detailed overview of Petco Total Rewards, including health and financial benefits, 401K, incentives, and PTO -see https://careers.petco.com/us/en/key-benefits
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