How to Become a Veterinarian
Veterinarians earn a median salary of $130,100/year in the United States. Most positions require Doctoral or professional degree. Job growth is projected at 19% over the next decade. The highest-paying states include California, Maryland, Washington.
Where Veterinarians have the most money left over after rent
Median pay minus estimated federal + state + FICA taxes, minus 12 months of rent at HUD's 2-bedroom Fair Market Rent. Darker green means more money left over each year. Hover any state for the breakdown.
View map data as a table
| State | Median (nominal) | Rent/mo (2BR) | Left after rent |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $161K | $1,830 | $99K |
| Arizona | $152K | $1,437 | $94K |
| Maryland | $163K | $1,795 | $93K |
| New Jersey | $160K | $2,067 | $87K |
| Texas | $131K | $1,415 | $84K |
| Pennsylvania | $134K | $1,351 | $82K |
| California | $164K | $2,471 | $82K |
| Florida | $132K | $1,658 | $81K |
| Tennessee | $124K | $1,215 | $81K |
| West Virginia | $129K | $1,008 | $81K |
| New Hampshire | $128K | $1,528 | $80K |
| New Mexico | $129K | $1,119 | $80K |
| Illinois | $134K | $1,407 | $79K |
| Nevada | $126K | $1,501 | $79K |
| Ohio | $125K | $1,188 | $79K |
| Indiana | $125K | $1,144 | $78K |
| North Carolina | $129K | $1,284 | $78K |
| Louisiana | $124K | $1,191 | $77K |
| Maine | $131K | $1,281 | $77K |
| Minnesota | $133K | $1,384 | $77K |
| Vermont | $132K | $1,498 | $77K |
| Iowa | $125K | $1,064 | $76K |
| Michigan | $125K | $1,272 | $76K |
| Georgia | $127K | $1,434 | $74K |
| Rhode Island | $127K | $1,544 | $74K |
| Utah | $124K | $1,350 | $74K |
| South Carolina | $122K | $1,263 | $73K |
| Colorado | $131K | $1,832 | $72K |
| Idaho | $116K | $1,136 | $71K |
| Massachusetts | $140K | $2,347 | $71K |
| Missouri | $115K | $1,097 | $71K |
| New York | $132K | $1,917 | $71K |
| Virginia | $127K | $1,646 | $71K |
| Connecticut | $126K | $1,679 | $70K |
| Oregon | $129K | $1,555 | $69K |
| District of Columbia | $135K | $2,146 | $68K |
| Arkansas | $108K | $1,021 | $68K |
| North Dakota | $102K | $1,034 | $66K |
| Wisconsin | $109K | $1,202 | $66K |
| Kansas | $107K | $1,066 | $65K |
| Mississippi | $105K | $1,077 | $65K |
| Wyoming | $97K | $1,008 | $65K |
| Alabama | $106K | $1,085 | $65K |
| Kentucky | $104K | $1,110 | $64K |
| Hawaii | $130K | $2,240 | $63K |
| Nebraska | $104K | $1,113 | $63K |
| Montana | $99K | $1,129 | $60K |
| Oklahoma | $98K | $1,081 | $60K |
| South Dakota | $89K | $1,017 | $59K |
Education and training
Healthcare careers typically require formal education from an accredited program, ranging from certificate programs (6-12 months for roles like medical assistants and phlebotomists) to doctoral degrees (for physicians, pharmacists, and physical therapists). Most healthcare education includes mandatory clinical rotations or supervised practice hours that can't be completed online alone. Programs must be accredited by the relevant professional body for graduates to sit for licensing exams.
To work as a veterinarians, most employers want Doctoral or professional degree. Hands-on experience through internships, entry-level positions, or structured training complements formal education.
Licensing and certification
Most healthcare roles require state licensure or national certification, often both. Licensing typically involves completing an accredited program, passing a standardized exam, and maintaining continuing education credits for renewal. Many healthcare licenses are state-specific: you may need a new license if you move, although interstate compacts are expanding in nursing, physical therapy, and other fields.
What the day-to-day looks like
Healthcare work is inherently hands-on and interpersonal. Most roles involve direct patient interaction, documentation in electronic health records, coordination with other providers, and adherence to safety protocols and regulations. Schedules vary dramatically by setting, hospitals operate 24/7 with shift work, while clinics and private practices typically run standard business hours.
Career progression
Healthcare offers unusually clear career ladders. Most professions have defined levels (entry, experienced, specialist, advanced practice, management) with specific credential requirements at each step. Lateral moves between specialties are common, and advanced degrees open doors to higher-paying or leadership roles. The aging U.S. population means demand for healthcare workers is projected to grow faster than the overall economy for the foreseeable future.
Salary progression
Highest paying states
| State | Median salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|
| California | $164K | 9,170 |
| Maryland | $163K | 1,430 |
| Washington | $161K | 2,390 |
| New Jersey | $160K | 1,910 |
| Arizona | $152K | 2,080 |
| Massachusetts | $140K | 1,920 |
| District of Columbia | $135K | 190 |
| Illinois | $134K | 2,330 |
| Pennsylvania | $134K | 3,490 |
| Minnesota | $133K | 2,140 |
Where the jobs are
The highest-paying state for veterinarianss is California at $163,920/year, that's $33,820 above the national median. But higher pay often comes with higher costs. Before assuming the top-paying state is the best financial move, check the full affordability breakdown for California.
The pay gap between the highest and lowest-paying states is $75,270. That spread sounds dramatic, but cost-of-living differences offset much of it. A veterinarians making $88,650 in South Dakota may have more purchasing power than one making $163,920 in California if rent and local prices differ enough.
By employment volume, the states with the most veterinarians jobs are California (9,170 workers), Texas (6,270 workers), Florida (5,360 workers). High employment numbers mean more job openings, more employer competition for talent, and usually more leverage when negotiating salary. States with fewer workers in the field may pay less but also have less competition for positions.
For the full state-by-state comparison with salary percentiles, cost-of-living adjustment, and rent affordability for veterinarianss, see the complete salary data page.
Salary negotiation
In healthcare, the strongest negotiation levers are specialization (certifications in high-demand areas), willingness to work undesirable shifts (nights, weekends, holidays command premium differentials), geographic flexibility (rural and underserved areas often offer sign-on bonuses and loan repayment), and experience in high-acuity settings.
What the data doesn't tell you
BLS salary data for healthcare occupations often underreports total compensation because overtime, shift differentials, sign-on bonuses, and per diem premiums aren't captured in the median wage figure. The actual W-2 for many clinical roles exceeds the BLS median by 10-20%.
See the full salary picture
Percentile breakdown, cost of living, rent burden, and purchasing power for veterinarianss in every metro.
View Veterinarians salaries →Frequently asked questions
How much does a veterinarians make?▼
The median veterinarians salary in the United States is $130,100 per year ($63/hour). Entry-level positions start around $73,920, while experienced professionals earn up to $215,700.
What education do you need to become a veterinarian?▼
Most veterinarians positions require Doctoral or professional degree. Requirements vary by state and employer. Check with your state's licensing board for specific requirements.
What is the job outlook for veterinarians?▼
Employment of veterinarians is projected to grow 19% over the next decade, with approximately 1,700 annual openings. This is faster than the average for all occupations.
What are the highest paying states for veterinarians?▼
The highest paying states for veterinarians are California ($163,920), Maryland ($163,170), Washington ($160,510), New Jersey ($160,140), Arizona ($152,020). Salaries vary significantly by location due to cost of living and local demand.