Veterinarians Salary in U.S. (2024)
The median pay for a veterinarians in U.S. is $125,510/year ($60.34/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $70K at the entry level to $213K for experienced workers.
Updated
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024
So what does $126K get you in U.S.?
About veterinarians
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, U.S.
Entry-level veterinarians (10th percentile) start around $70K. Mid-career wages sit at $126K.Top earners bring in $213K or more - a $143K spread from bottom to top.
Veterinarians pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $159K | +27% | 8,510 |
| Washington | $155K | +24% | 1,940 |
| District of Columbia | $153K | +22% | 100 |
| New Jersey | $149K | +18% | 1,750 |
| West Virginia | $134K | +7% | 390 |
| Vermont | $134K | +7% | 340 |
| Arizona | $133K | +6% | 1,430 |
| Massachusetts | $132K | +5% | 1,820 |
| New York | $131K | +5% | 3,200 |
| Florida | $131K | +5% | 5,480 |
| Connecticut | $131K | +4% | 890 |
| Pennsylvania | $130K | +3% | 3,220 |
| New Hampshire | $129K | +3% | 630 |
| Illinois | $128K | +2% | 2,950 |
| Rhode Island | $127K | +1% | 310 |
Track veterinarians salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when U.S. numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do veterinarians make in U.S.?
The median is $125,510 a year - that works out to about $60.34 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $70,350, and experienced veterinarians can clear $212,890. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $126K enough to live in U.S.?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $8,045/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,412/month, which eats 17.6% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a veterinarians salary go in U.S.?
U.S. has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median veterinarians salary is worth about $125,510 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do veterinarians get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.