SOC 291131

Veterinarians

Diagnose, treat, or research diseases and injuries of animals. Includes veterinarians who conduct research and development, inspect livestock, or care for pets and companion animals.

National Median

$125,510

per year

National Salary Overview

Median Annual

$125,510

Entry Level (10th pct)

$70,350

Experienced (90th pct)

$212,890

Total Employed

80,630

Salary Distribution

Salary percentiles show the range from entry-level (10th) to top earners (90th)

Salary by Experience Level

Experience Level	Estimated Salary Range
Entry Level0-2 years experience	$70,350 - $98,420
Mid Career2-8 years experience	$98,420 - $161,610
Senior / Expert8+ years experience	$161,610 - $212,890

Highest Paying Locations for Veterinarians

San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA

$187,990

+49.8% vs national

Napa, CA

$179,080

+42.7% vs national

San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA

$175,050

+39.5% vs national

Salinas, CA

$168,330

+34.1% vs national

Burlington-South Burlington, VT

$165,060

+31.5% vs national

Veterinarians Salary by Location

Compare salaries across 50 metropolitan areas

Metropolitan Area	Median Salary	Employed
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$187,990	1,220
Napa, CA	$179,080	30
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	$175,050	340
Salinas, CA	$168,330	90
Burlington-South Burlington, VT	$165,060	140
Anchorage, AK	$164,220	100
Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA	$163,380	210
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA	$162,040	270
Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA	$161,880	60
Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA	$161,370	120
Bakersfield-Delano, CA	$159,600	100
St. Joseph, MO-KS	$159,200	50
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$159,130	1,020
California	$158,950	8,510
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA	$158,710	660
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA	$158,700	110
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA	$158,420	850
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA	$158,260	1,000
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA	$157,860	130
Modesto, CA	$157,300	130
Yakima, WA	$157,140	80
Chico, CA	$156,030	70
Vallejo, CA	$155,570	70
Washington	$155,060	1,940
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ	$154,350	2,930
District of Columbia	$153,200	100
Waterbury-Shelton, CT	$152,200	80
Fresno, CA	$150,500	140
New Jersey	$148,550	1,750
Bellingham, WA	$147,200	60
Redding, CA	$147,070	50
Trenton-Princeton, NJ	$139,430	90
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA	$138,430	2,470
Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ	$138,420	1,000
Eastern Sierra-Mother Lode Region of California nonmetropolitan area	$137,970	50
Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ	$136,170	40
Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ	$136,000	60
Tallahassee, FL	$135,760	160
Capital/Northern New York nonmetropolitan area	$135,660	120
Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA	$135,650	80
North Coast Region of California nonmetropolitan area	$134,820	60
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN	$134,430	2,070
West Virginia	$134,290	390
Vermont	$134,240	340
North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL	$134,000	200
Kennewick-Richland, WA	$133,580	40
Maryland nonmetropolitan area	$133,530	30
Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT	$133,520	240
Kingston, NY	$133,480	40
Northern Vermont nonmetropolitan area	$133,430	100

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Veterinarians?

The national median annual salary for Veterinarians is $125,510, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This means half of workers in this occupation earn more, and half earn less.

Where do Veterinarianss earn the most?

The highest-paying metro area for Veterinarianss is San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, with a median salary of $187,990.

How much can an experienced Veterinarians make?

Top-earning Veterinarianss (90th percentile) make $212,890 or more annually. This typically reflects workers with significant experience, specialized skills, or positions in high-paying regions.