Veterinarian Salary in Los Angeles, CA
Veterinarians in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area earn a median $160,080 a year — 23% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $107,942 take-home, or $8,995 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
Pre-filled with the median veterinarian salary in Los Angeles, CA. Enter your own offer to see your paycheck.
- Federal income tax$27,153
- Social Security (6.2%)$9,925
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,321
- California income tax$10,658
- CA State Disability Insurance (SDI)$2,081
- Take-home pay$107,942
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 9.30% state
Got an offer somewhere else? Compare it with this one after taxes and rent →
Veterinarian pay by experience in Los Angeles, CA
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $67,410 | $32.41 | $53,196 | $4,433 |
| 25th percentile | $121,590 | $58.46 | $85,710 | $7,142 |
| Median (50th) | $160,080 | $76.96 | $107,942 | $8,995 |
| 75th percentile | $212,090 | $101.97 | $139,579 | $11,632 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $284,050+ | $136.56 | $179,304 | $14,942 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, California resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $160,080 buys in Los Angeles, CA
Prices in Los Angeles, CA are 13.6% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.70× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median veterinarian's $107,942 take-home pay has the buying power of $95,048 in a typical American city.
Rents: HUD Fair Market Rents, FY2026 (40th-percentile gross rent incl. utilities). Price levels: BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024.
Veterinarian jobs are about as common in Los Angeles, CA as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 0.81).
Best-paying cities for veterinarians, adjusted for cost of living
Los Angeles, CA ranks #2 of 2 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $156,150 | $109,822 | $97,565 |
| 2 | Los Angeles, CA | $160,080 | $107,942 | $95,048 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 2 metros →
About the job: veterinarians
Diagnose, treat, or research diseases and injuries of animals.
- Typical education
- Doctoral or professional degree
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- None
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +9.4% (much faster than average)
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a veterinarian make in Los Angeles, CA?
The median veterinarian salary in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA metro area is $160,080 a year, or about $76.96 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $121,590 and $212,090.
What is a veterinarian’s take-home pay in Los Angeles, CA?
On the median $160,080 salary, a single filer living in California takes home about $107,942 a year ($8,995 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $12,739 in California taxes in 2026.
Is Los Angeles, CA a good place to work as a veterinarian?
Pay here is 23% above the national median of $130,100. Local prices are 13.6% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $95,048 would in a typical U.S. city. Los Angeles, CA ranks #2 of 2 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a veterinarian afford rent in Los Angeles, CA?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Los Angeles, CA is $2,245 a month ($2,755 for two bedrooms) — 25% of a median veterinarian’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
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- Registered Nurse — $135,560
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