Veterinarian Salary
Veterinarians earn a median $130,100 a year nationally. Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations
U.S. median
$130,100
$62.55 per hour
Range
$73,920 – $215,700
10th to 90th percentile
Employed
83,900
across the U.S.
▲3.7%
Pay trend: The median for veterinarians in the U.S. rose from $125,510 (May 2024) to $130,100 (May 2025). That beat inflation (2.4%), a real raise of about 1.3%.
What veterinarians do
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)
- Openings per year
- 3,100
- Self-employed
- 7%
Employment of veterinarians is projected to grow 9.4% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 3,100 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Veterinarian take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
Your take-home pay
$100,189
per year · effective tax rate 23.0%
$8,349Monthly
$4,175Twice a month
$3,853Every 2 weeks
$48.17Hourly
- Federal income tax$19,958
- Social Security (6.2%)$8,066
- Medicare (1.45%)$1,886
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$100,189
Marginal rate: 24% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $73,920 | $35.54 | $60,833 |
| 25th percentile | $101,460 | $48.78 | $80,207 |
| Median (50th) | $130,100 | $62.55 | $100,189 |
| 75th percentile | $166,120 | $79.87 | $124,809 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $215,700 | $103.70 | $160,490 |
Best cities for veterinarians (after tax & cost of living)
| # | Metro area | Median | Take-home | Real value* | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York, NY | $156,150 | $109,822 | $97,565 | 3,150 |
| 2 | Los Angeles, CA | $160,080 | $107,942 | $95,048 | 2,740 |
*Take-home pay in U.S.-average dollars (BEA Regional Price Parities).
Highest-paying cities
- Los Angeles, CA — $160,080
- New York, NY — $156,150
Veterinarian salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $163,920 | +3.1% | $110,159 | $74,850 – $239,200+ | 9,170 |
| Maryland | $163,170 | — | $115,169 | $104,030 – $214,960 | 1,430 |
| Washington | $160,510 | +3.5% | $120,975 | $97,140 – $239,200+ | 2,390 |
| New Jersey | $160,140 | +7.8% | $112,711 | $103,720 – $239,200+ | 1,910 |
| Arizona | $152,020 | +14.5% | $111,580 | $81,990 – $239,200+ | 2,080 |
| Massachusetts | $140,260 | +6.7% | $100,341 | $96,320 – $239,200+ | 1,920 |
| District of Columbia | $134,530 | −12.2% | $94,751 | $69,990 – $239,200+ | 190 |
| Illinois | $133,580 | +4.1% | $96,101 | $74,840 – $239,200+ | 2,330 |
| Pennsylvania | $133,520 | +3.1% | $98,428 | $79,780 – $239,200+ | 3,490 |
| Minnesota | $133,110 | +13.4% | $94,631 | $83,280 – $217,580 | 2,140 |
| New York | $131,830 | +0.4% | $94,634 | $89,130 – $239,200+ | 3,390 |
| Vermont | $131,820 | −1.8% | $95,125 | $91,290 – $213,060 | 280 |
| Florida | $131,660 | +0.4% | $101,256 | $62,430 – $209,520 | 5,360 |
| Texas | $131,330 | +8.3% | $101,030 | $76,510 – $203,920 | 6,270 |
| Colorado | $130,840 | +6.4% | $95,647 | $77,710 – $211,930 | 2,340 |
| Maine | $130,600 | +5.3% | $92,689 | $81,780 – $194,680 | 600 |
| Hawaii | $130,120 | +26.7% | $91,844 | $62,460 – $188,130 | 370 |
| New Mexico | $129,390 | +2.1% | $94,695 | $79,450 – $212,850 | 460 |
| North Carolina | $129,240 | +4.7% | $94,954 | $77,650 – $209,340 | 2,940 |
| West Virginia | $128,990 | −3.9% | $94,148 | $54,830 – $201,910 | 390 |
| Oregon | $128,880 | +25.2% | $88,897 | $78,420 – $205,850 | 1,660 |
| New Hampshire | $128,190 | −0.5% | $98,884 | $74,780 – $239,200+ | 650 |
| Virginia | $126,730 | +2.1% | $91,413 | $63,350 – $220,170 | 2,700 |
| Georgia | $126,590 | +9.9% | $91,843 | $66,710 – $167,620 | 2,670 |
| Rhode Island | $126,570 | −0.2% | $93,366 | $106,730 – $196,300 | 430 |
| Connecticut | $126,190 | −3.5% | $92,095 | $46,960 – $218,720 | 950 |
| Nevada | $125,550 | +3.1% | $97,079 | $98,860 – $189,620 | 680 |
| Michigan | $125,390 | +11.6% | $91,892 | $75,900 – $192,800 | 2,030 |
| Ohio | $125,060 | +1.6% | $94,088 | $54,050 – $207,190 | 3,430 |
| Iowa | $124,610 | +23.5% | $92,354 | $72,800 – $168,950 | 1,000 |
| Indiana | $124,530 | +4.4% | $92,738 | $63,630 – $173,810 | 1,500 |
| Louisiana | $124,370 | +3.1% | $92,928 | $64,690 – $165,560 | 950 |
| Tennessee | $124,350 | −0.9% | $96,259 | $98,500 – $167,900 | 1,730 |
| Utah | $123,990 | +1.8% | $91,400 | $75,970 – $215,720 | 640 |
| South Carolina | $122,130 | −3.6% | $88,571 | $48,140 – $200,860 | 1,380 |
| Idaho | $116,170 | +9.5% | $85,507 | $43,290 – $168,840 | 540 |
| Missouri | $114,660 | −4.2% | $85,042 | $61,270 – $193,860 | 1,920 |
| Wisconsin | $108,780 | +4.2% | $80,972 | $79,350 – $159,940 | 1,830 |
| Arkansas | $107,710 | +6.8% | $80,616 | $38,870 – $153,370 | 540 |
| Kansas | $107,080 | +4.5% | $78,985 | $71,200 – $177,110 | 1,000 |
| Alabama | $105,630 | +7.7% | $78,124 | $65,430 – $172,290 | 1,020 |
| Mississippi | $105,370 | +4.0% | $79,475 | $70,050 – $163,040 | 480 |
| Kentucky | $104,100 | +6.0% | $78,538 | $44,200 – $169,220 | 1,190 |
| Nebraska | $103,500 | +23.6% | $77,813 | $60,630 – $165,660 | 780 |
| North Dakota | $102,180 | +2.7% | $79,980 | $81,420 – $153,720 | 270 |
| Montana | $99,390 | +20.7% | $74,496 | $51,390 – $183,190 | 510 |
| Oklahoma | $98,090 | +1.8% | $73,968 | $51,710 – $208,000 | 1,150 |
| Wyoming | $97,240 | +1.9% | $77,238 | $55,420 – $149,070 | 140 |
| South Dakota | $88,650 | −1.5% | $71,195 | $61,640 – $128,920 | 280 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,300 | Master's degree | +41.0% |
| Nurse Midwive | $134,040 | Master's degree | +11.5% |
| Physician Assistant | $135,880 | Master's degree | +21.1% |
| Optometrist | $136,570 | Doctoral or professional degree | +9.5% |
| Pharmacist | $140,910 | Doctoral or professional degree | +5.2% |
| Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other | $115,210 | Master's degree | +5.5% |
| Radiation Therapist | $105,310 | Associate's degree | +2.8% |
| Physical Therapist | $102,760 | Doctoral or professional degree | +11.9% |
| Occupational Therapist | $100,330 | Master's degree | +14.8% |
| Podiatrist | $160,300 | Doctoral or professional degree | +2.0% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a veterinarian make?
The national median salary for veterinarians is $130,100 a year ($62.55 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $73,920 and the top 10% earn over $215,700. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays veterinarians the most?
California has the highest median pay at $163,920. After taxes and local prices, New York, NY offers the best real take-home pay of any metro area.
How many veterinarians are there in the U.S.?
About 83,900 people work as veterinarians nationwide.