Veterinarian Salary in Washington, DC
Veterinarians in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median $154,350 a year — 19% more than the national median. After 2026 taxes, that is $106,613 take-home, or $8,884 a month.
Take-home pay calculator
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- Federal income tax$25,778
- Social Security (6.2%)$9,570
- Medicare (1.45%)$2,238
- District of Columbia income tax$10,151
- Take-home pay$106,613
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 8.50% state
The Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro spans District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, West Virginia. Pick the state you live in — state income tax follows your residence.
Veterinarian pay by experience in Washington, DC
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home / yr | Per month |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $79,360 | $38.15 | $60,883 | $5,074 |
| 25th percentile | $126,260 | $60.70 | $89,801 | $7,483 |
| Median (50th) | $154,350 | $74.21 | $106,613 | $8,884 |
| 75th percentile | $197,920 | $95.15 | $133,522 | $11,127 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $271,770+ | $130.66 | $177,300 | $14,775 |
Wages: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Take-home: single filer, District of Columbia resident, 2026 tax rules.
What $154,350 buys in Washington, DC
Prices in Washington, DC are 8.9% higher than the U.S. average (housing costs are 1.51× the national average). Adjusted for local prices, a median veterinarian's $106,613 take-home pay has the buying power of $97,914 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 Washington, DC as in the U.S. overall (location quotient 1.03).
Best-paying cities for veterinarians, adjusted for cost of living
Washington, DC ranks #22 of 40 metro areas once taxes and local prices are taken into account.
| # | Metro area | Median salary | Take-home | Real value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $208,080 | $137,051 | $118,543 |
| 2 | Phoenix, AZ | $161,060 | $117,533 | $113,760 |
| 3 | Seattle, WA | $163,810 | $123,230 | $110,885 |
| 4 | Baltimore, MD | $162,930 | $115,018 | $110,079 |
| 5 | Minneapolis, MN | $158,200 | $109,810 | $104,759 |
| 6 | San Antonio, TX | $128,550 | $99,130 | $104,660 |
| 7 | Austin, TX | $133,250 | $102,342 | $104,361 |
| 8 | Sacramento, CA | $165,260 | $110,933 | $103,997 |
| 22 | Washington, DC | $154,350 | $106,613 | $97,914 |
*Take-home pay divided by the BEA price level, so every city is measured in U.S.-average dollars. See all 40 metros →
Frequently asked questions
How much does a veterinarian make in Washington, DC?
The median veterinarian salary in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $154,350 a year, or about $74.21 an hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The middle half earn between $126,260 and $197,920.
What is a veterinarian’s take-home pay in Washington, DC?
On the median $154,350 salary, a single filer living in District of Columbia takes home about $106,613 a year ($8,884 a month) after federal tax, Social Security, Medicare and $10,151 in District of Columbia taxes in 2026.
Is Washington, DC a good place to work as a veterinarian?
Pay here is 19% above the national median of $130,100. Local prices are 8.9% above the U.S. average, so the take-home pay buys what $97,914 would in a typical U.S. city. Washington, DC ranks #22 of 40 metro areas for cost-of-living-adjusted pay in this job.
Can a veterinarian afford rent in Washington, DC?
HUD’s fair market rent for a one-bedroom in Washington, DC is $1,990 a month ($2,223 for two bedrooms) — 22% of a median veterinarian’s monthly take-home pay. Financial planners usually suggest keeping rent under about 30%.
Related jobs in Washington, DC
- Psychiatrist — $239,200+
- Emergency Medicine Physician — $239,200+
- Family Medicine Physician — $225,140
- General Internal Medicine Physician — $223,250
- Nurse Anesthetist — $223,150
- Physicians, All Other — $208,710
- Dentists, General — $184,540
- Pediatricians, General — $172,520
- Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other — $166,230
- Optometrist — $154,690
- Pharmacist — $150,540
- Physician Assistant — $148,200