Veterinarian salary
BLS occupation: Veterinarians · Healthcare practitioners · data for May 2025
Median salary $130,100 a year, US
Median hourly pay $62.55 an hour
Middle half earn $101,460–$166,120 25th to 75th percentile
Veterinarians employed 83,900 +9.4% projected by 2035
How much does a veterinarian make?
- The median veterinarian salary in the US is $130,100 a year ($62.55 an hour): half of the 83,900 veterinarians BLS counts earn more and half earn less. The average (mean) is $142,680.
- The middle half earn between $101,460 and $166,120. The lowest-paid 10% earn less than $73,920 and the top 10% more than $215,700.
- That is 2.6 times the median for all US workers ($50,980).
- California pays veterinarians the most (median $163,920), followed by Maryland ($163,170) and Washington ($160,510). South Dakota pays the least ($88,650).
- After adjusting for prices, the pay goes furthest in Maryland, where the median is worth $155,461 in typical US prices, then Arizona and Washington. California's higher pay is offset by its prices (110.7 vs a US average of 100).
- In all 278 metro areas with data, the median veterinarian salary is enough to rent a typical home without spending more than 30% of income on rent.
- BLS projects the number of veterinarians to grow 9.4% from 2025 to 2035 (all jobs: 3.5%), with about 3,100 openings a year. The typical entry education is a doctoral or professional degree.
official From BLS's survey of employers: what veterinarians are actually paid, not job ads or self-reports. Adjusted figures are derived. How we calculate.
How does your pay compare?
Veterinarian salary range
Half of veterinarians earn between $101,460 and $166,120 a year
Yearly pay at each point of the range, US, May 2025. For comparison, the median for all US jobs is $50,980.
Lowest 10% earn under Yearly pay: $73,920
Lowest 25% earn under Yearly pay: $101,460
Median Yearly pay: $130,100
Top 25% earn over Yearly pay: $166,120
Top 10% earn over Yearly pay: $215,700
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
Show the numbers
| Yearly pay | |
|---|---|
| Lowest 10% earn under | $73,920 |
| Lowest 25% earn under | $101,460 |
| Median | $130,100 |
| Top 25% earn over | $166,120 |
| Top 10% earn over | $215,700 |
Veterinarian salary by state
California pays veterinarians the most; South Dakota the least
Median yearly pay by state compared with the US median ($130,100), May 2025. Blue = higher pay.
- 20%+ below US
- 10–20% below
- 3–10% below
- Within 3%
- 3–10% above
- 10–20% above
- 20%+ above US
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025.
Show the numbers
| State | Median pay |
|---|---|
| California | $163,920 median |
| Maryland | $163,170 median |
| Washington | $160,510 median |
| New Jersey | $160,140 median |
| Arizona | $152,020 median |
| Massachusetts | $140,260 median |
| District of Columbia | $134,530 median |
| Illinois | $133,580 median |
| Pennsylvania | $133,520 median |
| Minnesota | $133,110 median |
| New York | $131,830 median |
| Vermont | $131,820 median |
| Florida | $131,660 median |
| Texas | $131,330 median |
| Colorado | $130,840 median |
| Maine | $130,600 median |
| Hawaii | $130,120 median |
| New Mexico | $129,390 median |
| North Carolina | $129,240 median |
| West Virginia | $128,990 median |
| Oregon | $128,880 median |
| New Hampshire | $128,190 median |
| Virginia | $126,730 median |
| Georgia | $126,590 median |
| Rhode Island | $126,570 median |
| Connecticut | $126,190 median |
| Nevada | $125,550 median |
| Michigan | $125,390 median |
| Ohio | $125,060 median |
| Iowa | $124,610 median |
| Indiana | $124,530 median |
| Louisiana | $124,370 median |
| Tennessee | $124,350 median |
| Utah | $123,990 median |
| South Carolina | $122,130 median |
| Idaho | $116,170 median |
| Missouri | $114,660 median |
| Wisconsin | $108,780 median |
| Arkansas | $107,710 median |
| Kansas | $107,080 median |
| Alabama | $105,630 median |
| Mississippi | $105,370 median |
| Kentucky | $104,100 median |
| Nebraska | $103,500 median |
| North Dakota | $102,180 median |
| Montana | $99,390 median |
| Oklahoma | $98,090 median |
| Wyoming | $97,240 median |
| South Dakota | $88,650 median |
Where veterinarian pay goes furthest
A salary buys more where prices are low. We divide each state's median by its price level from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, so every figure is in typical US prices. derived
Veterinarians' pay goes furthest in Maryland once prices are counted
Median pay ÷ the state's price level (BEA, 2024; US = 100), shown in typical US prices. Top 10 states.
US median
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025; BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Our calculation.
Show the numbers
| Worth, in US prices | |
|---|---|
| Maryland | $155,461 |
| Arizona | $150,998 |
| Washington | $149,991 |
| California | $148,049 |
| New Jersey | $147,181 |
| West Virginia | $144,128 |
| Iowa | $141,986 |
| Louisiana | $140,998 |
| New Mexico | $140,318 |
| North Carolina | $137,014 |
Veterinarian pay in every state
| State | Median a year | Hourly | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Employed | After cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $163,920 | $78.81 | $74,850 | $286,330 | 9,170 | $148,049 |
| Maryland | $163,170 | $78.45 | $104,030 | $214,960 | 1,430 | $155,461 |
| Washington | $160,510 | $77.17 | $97,140 | $265,600 | 2,390 | $149,991 |
| New Jersey | $160,140 | $76.99 | $103,720 | $274,850 | 1,910 | $147,181 |
| Arizona | $152,020 | $73.09 | $81,990 | $262,990 | 2,080 | $150,998 |
| Massachusetts | $140,260 | $67.43 | $96,320 | $260,010 | 1,920 | $132,625 |
| District of Columbia | $134,530 | $64.68 | $69,990 | $294,160 | 190 | $122,410 |
| Illinois | $133,580 | $64.22 | $74,840 | $280,380 | 2,330 | $133,636 |
| Pennsylvania | $133,520 | $64.19 | $79,780 | $268,870 | 3,490 | $136,843 |
| Minnesota | $133,110 | $64.00 | $83,280 | $217,580 | 2,140 | $134,971 |
| New York | $131,830 | $63.38 | $89,130 | $251,000 | 3,390 | $122,154 |
| Vermont | $131,820 | $63.38 | $91,290 | $213,060 | 280 | $134,568 |
| Florida | $131,660 | $63.30 | $62,430 | $209,520 | 5,360 | $127,314 |
| Texas | $131,330 | $63.14 | $76,510 | $203,920 | 6,270 | $135,312 |
| Colorado | $130,840 | $62.90 | $77,710 | $211,930 | 2,340 | $126,965 |
| Maine | $130,600 | $62.79 | $81,780 | $194,680 | 600 | $134,570 |
| Hawaii | $130,120 | $62.56 | $62,460 | $188,130 | 370 | $118,344 |
| New Mexico | $129,390 | $62.21 | $79,450 | $212,850 | 460 | $140,318 |
| North Carolina | $129,240 | $62.13 | $77,650 | $209,340 | 2,940 | $137,014 |
| West Virginia | $128,990 | $62.01 | $54,830 | $201,910 | 390 | $144,128 |
| Oregon | $128,880 | $61.96 | $78,420 | $205,850 | 1,660 | $124,689 |
| New Hampshire | $128,190 | $61.63 | $74,780 | $283,460 | 650 | $123,064 |
| Virginia | $126,730 | $60.93 | $63,350 | $220,170 | 2,700 | $125,346 |
| Georgia | $126,590 | $60.86 | $66,710 | $167,620 | 2,670 | $131,463 |
| Rhode Island | $126,570 | $60.85 | $106,730 | $196,300 | 430 | $123,749 |
| Connecticut | $126,190 | $60.67 | $46,960 | $218,720 | 950 | $121,793 |
| Nevada | $125,550 | $60.36 | $98,860 | $189,620 | 680 | $125,576 |
| Michigan | $125,390 | $60.28 | $75,900 | $192,800 | 2,030 | $130,320 |
| Ohio | $125,060 | $60.13 | $54,050 | $207,190 | 3,430 | $134,801 |
| Iowa | $124,610 | $59.91 | $72,800 | $168,950 | 1,000 | $141,986 |
| Indiana | $124,530 | $59.87 | $63,630 | $173,810 | 1,500 | $133,431 |
| Louisiana | $124,370 | $59.79 | $64,690 | $165,560 | 950 | $140,998 |
| Tennessee | $124,350 | $59.78 | $98,500 | $167,900 | 1,730 | $135,354 |
| Utah | $123,990 | $59.61 | $75,970 | $215,720 | 640 | $125,415 |
| South Carolina | $122,130 | $58.72 | $48,140 | $200,860 | 1,380 | $130,273 |
| Idaho | $116,170 | $55.85 | $43,290 | $168,840 | 540 | $121,652 |
| Missouri | $114,660 | $55.13 | $61,270 | $193,860 | 1,920 | $126,254 |
| Wisconsin | $108,780 | $52.30 | $79,350 | $159,940 | 1,830 | $115,607 |
| Arkansas | $107,710 | $51.78 | $38,870 | $153,370 | 540 | $123,894 |
| Kansas | $107,080 | $51.48 | $71,200 | $177,110 | 1,000 | $118,888 |
| Alabama | $105,630 | $50.78 | $65,430 | $172,290 | 1,020 | $118,922 |
| Mississippi | $105,370 | $50.66 | $70,050 | $163,040 | 480 | $121,180 |
| Kentucky | $104,100 | $50.05 | $44,200 | $169,220 | 1,190 | $115,463 |
| Nebraska | $103,500 | $49.76 | $60,630 | $165,660 | 780 | $114,869 |
| North Dakota | $102,180 | $49.13 | $81,420 | $153,720 | 270 | $114,862 |
| Montana | $99,390 | $47.78 | $51,390 | $183,190 | 510 | $105,013 |
| Oklahoma | $98,090 | $47.16 | $51,710 | $208,000 | 1,150 | $111,665 |
| Wyoming | $97,240 | $46.75 | $55,420 | $149,070 | 140 | $104,908 |
| South Dakota | $88,650 | $42.62 | $61,640 | $128,920 | 280 | $100,072 |
BLS does not publish pay for veterinarians in 2 states (too few workers to estimate reliably). After cost of living = median ÷ (BEA price level ÷ 100).
Veterinarian salary by city
Metro areas where BLS publishes veterinarian pay: 282 of 387. Rent share = typical rent (September 2026, Zillow) × 12 ÷ the median salary; under 30% is affordable by the usual rule.
Highest-paying metro areas
- San Francisco, CA $208,080
- San Jose, CA $192,160
- Napa, CA $172,600
- Sacramento, CA $165,260
- Santa Cruz, CA $164,820
- Atlantic City, NJ $164,620
- Barnstable, MA $164,060
- Seattle, WA $163,810
- Amherst-Northampton, MA $163,630
- Kennewick, WA $163,520
Where the pay goes furthest
- San Francisco, CA $179,980
- San Jose, CA $174,022
- Barnstable, MA $166,811
- Atlantic City, NJ $166,523
- Yakima, WA $165,555
- Kennewick, WA $163,391
- Amherst-Northampton, MA $163,233
- Lexington Park, MD $158,783
- Chico, CA $158,285
- Redding, CA $157,930
All 282 metro areas
| Metro area | Median a year | Employed | After cost of living | Rent share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $208,080 | 1,350 | $179,980 | 20% |
| San Jose, CA | $192,160 | 350 | $174,022 | 24% |
| Napa, CA | $172,600 | 30 | $153,349 | 20% |
| Sacramento, CA | $165,260 | 830 | $154,926 | 16% |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $164,820 | 130 | $149,978 | 25% |
| Atlantic City, NJ | $164,620 | 60 | $166,523 | 15% |
| Barnstable, MA | $164,060 | 100 | $166,811 | 19% |
| Seattle, WA | $163,810 | 1,330 | $147,400 | 16% |
| Amherst-Northampton, MA | $163,630 | 60 | $163,233 | – |
| Kennewick, WA | $163,520 | 60 | $163,391 | 12% |
| Salinas, CA | $163,080 | 120 | $149,557 | 20% |
| Baltimore, MD | $162,930 | 700 | $155,933 | 14% |
| Modesto, CA | $162,160 | 120 | $155,761 | 15% |
| Phoenix, AZ | $161,060 | 1,480 | $155,891 | 13% |
| Riverside, CA | $160,860 | 660 | $151,125 | 19% |
| Chico, CA | $160,180 | 60 | $158,285 | 12% |
| Los Angeles, CA | $160,080 | 2,740 | $140,958 | 22% |
| Lexington Park, MD | $159,990 | 50 | $158,783 | 15% |
| San Diego, CA | $159,750 | 1,080 | $142,778 | 22% |
| Redding, CA | $159,010 | 60 | $157,930 | 12% |
| Olympia, WA | $158,880 | 100 | $153,256 | 15% |
| Santa Maria, CA | $158,840 | 140 | $145,995 | 25% |
| Oxnard, CA | $158,810 | 290 | $143,675 | 22% |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $158,770 | 210 | $147,304 | 20% |
| Bremerton, WA | $158,600 | 90 | $150,179 | 16% |
| Minneapolis, MN | $158,200 | 1,470 | $150,923 | 13% |
| Yakima, WA | $158,180 | 100 | $165,555 | 10% |
| Vallejo, CA | $157,710 | 70 | $145,383 | 19% |
| Fresno, CA | $157,460 | 170 | $154,134 | 16% |
| Mount Vernon, WA | $156,980 | 40 | $153,236 | 17% |
| New York, NY | $156,150 | 3,150 | $138,722 | 27% |
| Washington, DC | $154,350 | 1,740 | $141,756 | 19% |
| Prescott Valley, AZ | $152,020 | 50 | $154,720 | 15% |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $151,990 | 110 | $139,959 | 22% |
| Spokane, WA | $151,820 | 160 | $151,297 | 12% |
| Bakersfield, CA | $150,780 | 100 | $149,456 | 15% |
| Trenton, NJ | $150,520 | 100 | $145,881 | 20% |
| Bellingham, WA | $149,760 | 80 | $144,928 | 16% |
| Chicago, IL | $148,730 | 1,530 | $143,569 | 17% |
| Pensacola, FL | $146,960 | 140 | $150,393 | 14% |
| Kahului, HI | $146,590 | 40 | $134,003 | 26% |
| Stockton, CA | $144,020 | 90 | $137,046 | 20% |
| Tallahassee, FL | $140,830 | 170 | $149,948 | 13% |
| Albuquerque, NM | $140,200 | 240 | $146,736 | 13% |
| Philadelphia, PA | $139,810 | 1,790 | $136,328 | 16% |
| Boston, MA | $138,900 | 1,540 | $128,295 | 26% |
| Naples, FL | $137,010 | 80 | $132,762 | 23% |
| North Port, FL | $136,840 | 200 | $133,611 | 18% |
| Peoria, IL | $135,860 | 70 | $148,919 | 10% |
| Kingston, NY | $135,760 | 40 | $134,804 | 18% |
| Medford, OR | $135,740 | 80 | $133,822 | 16% |
| Denver, CO | $135,090 | 1,160 | $127,706 | 17% |
| Mankato, MN | $134,110 | 50 | $147,447 | 11% |
| Sebastian, FL | $133,950 | 50 | $136,255 | 19% |
| Palm Bay, FL | $133,850 | 150 | $133,843 | 17% |
| Jacksonville, FL | $133,810 | 470 | $134,504 | 15% |
| Dallas, TX | $133,550 | 1,760 | $129,547 | 15% |
| Visalia, CA | $133,370 | 50 | $133,604 | 16% |
| Austin, TX | $133,250 | 700 | $135,878 | 14% |
| Allentown, PA | $133,120 | 230 | $133,163 | 17% |
| Reading, PA | $133,110 | 100 | $137,142 | 14% |
| Morgantown, WV | $132,990 | 50 | $142,505 | 12% |
| Harrisburg, PA | $132,750 | 180 | $134,567 | 13% |
| Rockford, IL | $132,720 | 50 | $144,020 | 12% |
| Durham, NC | $132,500 | 210 | $135,797 | 15% |
| Lancaster, PA | $132,480 | 180 | $134,830 | 14% |
| Orlando, FL | $132,440 | 570 | $130,588 | 17% |
| Houston, TX | $132,280 | 1,340 | $134,119 | 15% |
| Waterbury, CT | $132,030 | 80 | $132,324 | – |
| Boulder, CO | $132,020 | 180 | $125,492 | 20% |
| Ithaca, NY | $131,870 | 60 | $127,636 | 18% |
| Burlington, VT | $131,820 | 130 | $130,581 | 24% |
| Deltona, FL | $131,780 | 130 | $132,619 | 16% |
| Portland, OR | $131,720 | 1,010 | $124,947 | 16% |
| Albany, NY | $131,680 | 280 | $132,254 | 15% |
| Wilmington, NC | $131,670 | 190 | $136,556 | 16% |
| Tucson, AZ | $131,540 | 250 | $135,754 | 14% |
| State College, PA | $131,500 | 60 | $135,900 | 18% |
| Tampa, FL | $131,190 | 1,060 | $130,033 | 18% |
| Portland, ME | $130,990 | 280 | $128,601 | 21% |
| Worcester, MA | $130,950 | 250 | $127,727 | 19% |
| Des Moines, IA | $130,900 | 210 | $142,747 | 12% |
| Honolulu, HI | $130,830 | 270 | $117,906 | 28% |
| Waterloo, IA | $130,740 | 60 | $150,177 | 9% |
| Gettysburg, PA | $130,410 | 30 | $136,728 | 13% |
| Akron, OH | $130,370 | 230 | $139,627 | 12% |
| Raleigh, NC | $130,350 | 520 | $132,797 | 15% |
| Asheville, NC | $130,330 | 190 | $135,049 | 16% |
| Salem, OR | $130,330 | 120 | $125,742 | 15% |
| Rochester, MN | $130,000 | 70 | $143,139 | 15% |
| Columbia, SC | $129,960 | 210 | $138,754 | 14% |
| Bridgeport, CT | $129,940 | 270 | $121,594 | 27% |
| Greensboro, NC | $129,910 | 180 | $139,891 | 13% |
| Miami, FL | $129,890 | 1,150 | $113,784 | 25% |
| Lakeland, FL | $129,810 | 120 | $133,630 | 17% |
| Burlington, NC | $129,800 | 40 | $139,276 | 12% |
| Detroit, MI | $129,730 | 710 | $129,345 | 14% |
| York, PA | $129,610 | 130 | $135,010 | 13% |
| Ocala, FL | $129,410 | 120 | $135,886 | 15% |
| Providence, RI | $129,390 | 520 | $127,136 | 20% |
| Santa Fe, NM | $129,380 | 70 | $130,995 | 18% |
| Charlotte, NC | $129,080 | 750 | $132,596 | 16% |
| Dayton, OH | $129,030 | 220 | $139,200 | 12% |
| Crestview, FL | $128,990 | 120 | $132,937 | 18% |
| Atlanta, GA | $128,980 | 1,610 | $128,905 | 17% |
| Cape Coral, FL | $128,940 | 150 | $125,981 | 17% |
| Springfield, MA | $128,750 | 80 | $134,029 | 18% |
| Myrtle Beach, SC | $128,630 | 80 | $137,364 | 16% |
| Cleveland, OH | $128,610 | 560 | $136,931 | 13% |
| San Antonio, TX | $128,550 | 550 | $135,722 | 13% |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $128,530 | 150 | $139,641 | 14% |
| Slidell, LA | $128,500 | 130 | $138,580 | – |
| New Orleans, LA | $128,360 | 200 | $138,622 | 15% |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $128,290 | 640 | $135,511 | 14% |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $128,260 | 100 | $127,968 | 22% |
| Greenville, NC | $128,250 | 50 | $145,076 | 14% |
| Fayetteville, NC | $128,190 | 60 | $139,370 | 14% |
| Iowa City, IA | $128,180 | 40 | $140,074 | 16% |
| Pittsfield, MA | $127,910 | 30 | $134,492 | 16% |
| Indianapolis, IN | $127,850 | 520 | $133,600 | 14% |
| Bangor, ME | $127,730 | 50 | $132,352 | 14% |
| Cincinnati, OH | $127,670 | 650 | $133,868 | 14% |
| South Bend, IN | $127,650 | 70 | $137,468 | 12% |
| Rochester, NY | $127,580 | 200 | $131,478 | 14% |
| New Haven, CT | $127,570 | 140 | $122,008 | 19% |
| Buffalo, NY | $127,500 | 230 | $133,029 | 14% |
| Charlottesville, VA | $127,460 | 90 | $128,558 | 19% |
| Boise, ID | $127,410 | 260 | $129,494 | 18% |
| Ann Arbor, MI | $127,270 | 100 | $126,160 | 18% |
| Idaho Falls, ID | $127,240 | 50 | $134,771 | 14% |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $127,160 | 100 | $142,936 | 12% |
| Toledo, OH | $126,970 | 140 | $138,833 | 12% |
| Scranton, PA | $126,960 | 100 | $135,705 | 13% |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $126,890 | 160 | $139,777 | 13% |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $126,790 | 280 | $125,900 | 17% |
| Greeley, CO | $126,730 | 100 | $126,507 | 16% |
| Duluth, MN | $126,650 | 90 | $142,675 | 13% |
| Michigan City, IN | $126,500 | 30 | $137,977 | 11% |
| Lubbock, TX | $126,420 | 70 | $138,441 | 13% |
| Utica, NY | $126,320 | 60 | $136,300 | 14% |
| Binghamton, NY | $126,230 | 30 | $135,931 | 15% |
| Nashville, TN | $126,230 | 500 | $131,028 | 17% |
| Pinehurst, NC | $126,190 | 50 | $142,852 | 18% |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $126,140 | 70 | $136,116 | 14% |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $126,140 | 270 | $132,020 | 15% |
| Norwich, CT | $125,860 | 60 | $125,302 | 20% |
| Chattanooga, TN | $125,790 | 190 | $137,530 | 14% |
| Hartford, CT | $125,750 | 320 | $122,389 | 19% |
| Provo, UT | $125,660 | 100 | $127,922 | 17% |
| Las Vegas, NV | $125,640 | 480 | $125,370 | 17% |
| Reno, NV | $125,530 | 150 | $124,270 | 20% |
| Bloomington, IN | $125,480 | 30 | $131,968 | 17% |
| Manchester, NH | $125,410 | 120 | $118,695 | 21% |
| Chambersburg, PA | $125,400 | 50 | $132,499 | 13% |
| Eugene, OR | $125,310 | 150 | $123,375 | 17% |
| Canton, OH | $125,150 | 100 | $139,979 | 11% |
| Memphis, TN | $125,130 | 310 | $135,747 | 13% |
| Fort Wayne, IN | $124,970 | 80 | $134,998 | 12% |
| Hickory, NC | $124,970 | 70 | $141,231 | 15% |
| Shreveport, LA | $124,970 | 80 | $147,429 | 12% |
| Flint, MI | $124,930 | 60 | $134,284 | 10% |
| Anchorage, AK | $124,810 | 110 | $118,393 | 18% |
| Longview, TX | $124,730 | 50 | $139,386 | 11% |
| Las Cruces, NM | $124,640 | 40 | $138,163 | 14% |
| Evansville, IN | $124,590 | 50 | $136,122 | 11% |
| Rome, GA | $124,530 | 30 | $138,120 | 12% |
| Davenport, IA | $124,470 | 100 | $139,730 | 10% |
| Lafayette, LA | $124,470 | 90 | $142,726 | 13% |
| Syracuse, NY | $124,400 | 130 | $129,933 | 16% |
| Traverse City, MI | $124,330 | 30 | $133,156 | 18% |
| Amarillo, TX | $124,020 | 60 | $135,069 | 13% |
| Greenville, SC | $123,920 | 320 | $132,876 | 15% |
| Erie, PA | $123,670 | 70 | $135,976 | 11% |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $123,520 | 290 | $122,457 | 16% |
| Killeen, TX | $123,390 | 80 | $135,397 | 13% |
| Athens, GA | $123,320 | 120 | $132,115 | 17% |
| Columbus, OH | $123,270 | 850 | $129,120 | 15% |
| El Paso, TX | $123,250 | 70 | $137,078 | 15% |
| Homosassa Springs, FL | $123,220 | 30 | $131,833 | 17% |
| Poughkeepsie-Newburgh, NY | $122,940 | 150 | $112,354 | 22% |
| Waco, TX | $122,920 | 50 | $132,815 | 14% |
| Abilene, TX | $122,820 | 40 | $135,917 | 19% |
| Ogden, UT | $122,740 | 110 | $122,313 | 16% |
| Johnson City, TN | $122,580 | 50 | $139,410 | 15% |
| Lansing, MI | $122,510 | 140 | $128,970 | 13% |
| Kansas City, MO | $122,490 | 750 | $132,360 | 15% |
| St. Louis, MO | $122,460 | 810 | $128,786 | 14% |
| Charleston, SC | $122,130 | 330 | $120,966 | 20% |
| Gainesville, GA | $122,040 | 50 | $126,119 | 17% |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $122,010 | 500 | $124,575 | 19% |
| Roanoke, VA | $121,940 | 100 | $130,253 | 14% |
| Albany, GA | $121,900 | 30 | $139,046 | 11% |
| Richmond, VA | $121,670 | 420 | $124,333 | 17% |
| McAllen, TX | $121,590 | 50 | $141,557 | 11% |
| Spartanburg, SC | $121,420 | 50 | $133,354 | 15% |
| St. Cloud, MN | $121,400 | 60 | $138,534 | 12% |
| Knoxville, TN | $121,160 | 260 | $130,886 | 17% |
| Coeur d'Alene, ID | $121,000 | 60 | $123,101 | 18% |
| Brownsville, TX | $120,940 | 30 | $140,669 | 15% |
| Tyler, TX | $120,850 | 70 | $131,136 | 13% |
| Jacksonville, NC | $120,430 | 40 | $130,781 | 16% |
| Saginaw, MI | $120,140 | 40 | $132,180 | 11% |
| Augusta, GA | $120,110 | 140 | $130,692 | 15% |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $119,990 | 50 | $126,449 | 17% |
| Elkhart, IN | $119,310 | 30 | $132,090 | 12% |
| Bend, OR | $119,020 | 140 | $114,876 | 22% |
| Corvallis, OR | $119,020 | 60 | $114,424 | 18% |
| Winchester, VA | $118,830 | 40 | $123,204 | 18% |
| Punta Gorda, FL | $118,600 | 40 | $117,981 | 19% |
| Wheeling, WV | $118,600 | 30 | $134,280 | 9% |
| St. Joseph, MO | $118,290 | 40 | $136,938 | 10% |
| Ames, IA | $118,240 | 80 | $133,108 | 12% |
| Milwaukee, WI | $117,780 | 430 | $121,502 | 16% |
| Grand Junction, CO | $117,520 | 50 | $123,089 | 18% |
| Monroe, LA | $117,400 | 40 | $140,436 | 12% |
| Savannah, GA | $116,480 | 120 | $122,345 | 18% |
| College Station, TX | $116,170 | 230 | $127,728 | 16% |
| Gainesville, FL | $115,210 | 120 | $119,101 | 17% |
| Kalamazoo, MI | $115,210 | 80 | $121,478 | 13% |
| Lake Charles, LA | $115,210 | 60 | $134,196 | 14% |
| Madison, WI | $115,210 | 420 | $118,423 | 19% |
| Racine, WI | $115,100 | 30 | $119,945 | 15% |
| Fayetteville, AR | $114,950 | 150 | $125,831 | 16% |
| Springfield, IL | $113,890 | 40 | $122,799 | 13% |
| Fort Collins, CO | $112,450 | 300 | $111,196 | 21% |
| Huntsville, AL | $112,230 | 130 | $120,584 | 15% |
| Charleston, WV | $112,140 | 50 | $126,402 | 13% |
| Hammond, LA | $112,140 | 40 | $132,773 | 14% |
| Clarksville, TN | $111,400 | 70 | $122,489 | 14% |
| Huntington, WV | $111,400 | 60 | $125,987 | 12% |
| Kenosha, WI | $110,990 | 50 | $109,763 | – |
| Eau Claire, WI | $110,120 | 40 | $118,669 | 12% |
| Lexington, KY | $109,050 | 330 | $117,398 | 18% |
| Warner Robins, GA | $108,370 | 50 | $115,547 | 17% |
| Louisville, KY | $108,000 | 360 | $116,037 | 15% |
| Topeka, KS | $107,990 | 80 | $121,583 | 14% |
| Lynchburg, VA | $107,870 | 70 | $120,710 | 14% |
| Little Rock, AR | $107,330 | 120 | $120,104 | 14% |
| Omaha, NE | $107,280 | 300 | $116,722 | 16% |
| Morristown, TN | $106,950 | 30 | $123,836 | 18% |
| Birmingham, AL | $106,890 | 310 | $116,636 | 16% |
| Youngstown, OH | $106,770 | 100 | $122,171 | 12% |
| Champaign, IL | $106,520 | 80 | $114,903 | 16% |
| Appleton, WI | $105,800 | 100 | $114,479 | 14% |
| Janesville, WI | $105,410 | 30 | $112,494 | 15% |
| Blacksburg, VA | $105,300 | 60 | $113,580 | 19% |
| La Crosse, WI | $105,230 | 30 | $114,668 | 15% |
| Kingsport, TN | $105,090 | 70 | $121,566 | 15% |
| Wichita, KS | $104,930 | 170 | $117,970 | 14% |
| Green Bay, WI | $104,850 | 100 | $112,638 | 13% |
| Hattiesburg, MS | $104,630 | 50 | $119,396 | 15% |
| Alexandria, LA | $104,580 | 30 | $122,050 | 12% |
| Gulfport, MS | $104,450 | 60 | $116,048 | 16% |
| Jackson, MS | $104,390 | 90 | $117,229 | 17% |
| Lincoln, NE | $104,330 | 130 | $113,921 | 15% |
| Fort Smith, AR | $104,110 | 40 | $121,216 | 12% |
| Bismarck, ND | $104,000 | 50 | $114,256 | 15% |
| Hilton Head Island, SC | $103,490 | 50 | $105,584 | 23% |
| Logan, UT | $103,490 | 30 | $107,884 | 17% |
| Missoula, MT | $103,380 | 50 | $107,191 | 19% |
| Grand Island, NE | $103,050 | 30 | $118,917 | 16% |
| Springfield, MO | $102,740 | 140 | $115,979 | 15% |
| Joplin, MO | $102,700 | 50 | $119,811 | 15% |
| Montgomery, AL | $102,700 | 90 | $114,516 | 16% |
| Wausau, WI | $101,540 | 40 | $109,594 | 11% |
| Fargo, ND | $101,280 | 90 | $111,455 | 13% |
| Jefferson City, MO | $101,230 | 50 | $115,067 | 12% |
| Auburn, AL | $101,060 | 60 | $114,928 | 19% |
| Cape Girardeau, MO | $100,360 | 30 | $116,592 | 12% |
| Columbus, GA | $99,840 | 60 | $111,808 | 16% |
| Columbia, MO | $99,620 | 140 | $111,384 | 18% |
| Florence, AL | $98,990 | 30 | $116,710 | 13% |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $98,750 | 450 | $109,227 | 17% |
| Sioux Falls, SD | $98,320 | 80 | $108,484 | 15% |
| Tulsa, OK | $98,240 | 330 | $110,117 | 17% |
| Staunton, VA | $97,960 | 60 | $107,497 | 18% |
| Bozeman, MT | $97,430 | 100 | $95,044 | 27% |
| Bowling Green, KY | $97,260 | 40 | $107,852 | 15% |
| Billings, MT | $93,140 | 90 | $99,587 | 18% |
| Lafayette, IN | $91,910 | 90 | $98,373 | 19% |
| Rapid City, SD | $90,410 | 60 | $101,402 | 19% |
| Manhattan, KS | $81,310 | 70 | $90,182 | 19% |
What the median veterinarian salary pays per paycheck
| Period | Before taxes |
|---|---|
| Year | $130,100 |
| Month | $10,842 |
| Every two weeks | $5,004 |
| Week | $2,502 |
| Hour | $62.55 |
Gross pay, 52 weeks a year, 2,080 hours. Hourly to salary calculator.
Becoming a veterinarian: education and job outlook
| Typical entry education | Doctoral or professional degree |
|---|---|
| Work experience needed | None |
| On-the-job training | None |
| Projected change in jobs, 2025–35 | +9.4% (all jobs: +3.5%) |
| Openings a year (average) | 3,100 |
| Self-employed | 7.2% |
official BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35. Openings include workers who retire or change jobs. What the work involves: BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Similar jobs
| Job | Median a year | Typical education |
|---|---|---|
| Ultrasound tech | $96,590 | Associate's degree |
| Vet tech | $47,380 | Associate's degree |
| Speech-language pathologist | $97,870 | Master's degree |
| Physician assistant | $135,880 | Master's degree |
| Nurse practitioner | $132,300 | Master's degree |
| Medical lab tech | $62,930 | Bachelor's degree |
| MRI tech | $95,480 | Associate's degree |
| CRNA | $236,590 | Master's degree |
Questions about veterinarian pay
How much does a veterinarian make an hour?
The median is $62.55 an hour. The lowest-paid 10% earn under $35.54 and the top 10% over $103.70.
How much does a veterinarian make a month?
About $10,842 a month before taxes at the median salary of $130,100, or $5,004 every two weeks.
What state pays veterinarians the most?
California, with a median of $163,920. Maryland ($163,170), Washington ($160,510), New Jersey ($160,140) and Arizona ($152,020) follow.
Where do veterinarians make the most after cost of living?
Maryland: its median of $163,170 is worth $155,461 at typical US prices. Arizona, Washington and California come next.
How much do entry-level veterinarians make?
BLS does not report pay by experience. The lowest-paid 10% of veterinarians earn under $73,920 a year, and the lowest-paid quarter under $101,460, which is a reasonable guide to starting pay.
What education do you need to become a veterinarian?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as a doctoral or professional degree. Work experience in a related job: none. On-the-job training: none.
Sources and limits
- Pay and employment: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation 29-1131 (Veterinarians). Downloaded 2026-10-24.
- OEWS counts wage and salary workers at employers, including tips and commissions but not overtime pay, bonuses that are not tied to production, or benefits. It leaves out the self-employed. BLS does not publish figures above $239,200 a year or for states and metro areas with too few workers.
- Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (US = 100). Rents: Zillow Observed Rent Index, September 2026; Data Provided by Zillow Group.
- Outlook and education: BLS Employment Projections, 2025–35.
- Pay is not broken down by experience, employer or specialty (for example, ER or pediatric nursing); BLS does not publish those splits.