Veterinarians Salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
The median pay for a veterinarians in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA is $159,130/year ($76.5/hour), per BLS data. The range runs from $105K at the entry level to $218K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 111.13), so that salary is closer to $143,193 in real purchasing power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $2,501/month, or 24.4% of estimated take-home pay.
So what does $159K get you in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
Groceries, utilities, transportation, and healthcare scaled from national averages by Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue’s Regional Price Parity (111.13). Rent from HUD Fair Market Rents. Taxes estimated for single filer, standard deduction. * Healthcare is the employee-paid share only (premiums + out-of-pocket). Actual costs vary by coverage type: employer-sponsored, ACA marketplace, or uninsured.
About veterinarians
Sponsored links — AffordMap may earn a commission at no cost to you. Learn more
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Entry-level veterinarians (10th percentile) start around $105K. Mid-career wages sit at $159K. Top earners bring in $218K or more, a $113K 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 |
| South Carolina | $127K | +1% | 1,330 |
| New Mexico | $127K | +1% | 350 |
| Tennessee | $125K | -0% | 1,590 |
| Virginia | $124K | -1% | 2,560 |
| Maine | $124K | -1% | 540 |
| North Carolina | $123K | -2% | 2,950 |
| Ohio | $123K | -2% | 2,880 |
| Utah | $122K | -3% | 620 |
| Nevada | $122K | -3% | 700 |
| Texas | $121K | -3% | 5,940 |
| Louisiana | $121K | -4% | 890 |
| Missouri | $120K | -5% | 2,020 |
| Indiana | $119K | -5% | 1,560 |
| Minnesota | $117K | -7% | 2,060 |
| Georgia | $115K | -8% | 2,430 |
| Michigan | $112K | -11% | 2,320 |
| Idaho | $106K | -15% | 500 |
| Wisconsin | $104K | -17% | 1,760 |
| Oregon | $103K | -18% | 1,640 |
| Hawaii | $103K | -18% | 360 |
| Kansas | $103K | -18% | 940 |
| Mississippi | $101K | -19% | 520 |
| Iowa | $101K | -20% | 1,180 |
| Arkansas | $101K | -20% | 600 |
| North Dakota | $99K | -21% | 300 |
| Kentucky | $98K | -22% | 1,250 |
| Alabama | $98K | -22% | 1,150 |
| Oklahoma | $96K | -23% | 980 |
| Wyoming | $95K | -24% | 180 |
| South Dakota | $90K | -28% | 240 |
| Nebraska | $84K | -33% | 750 |
| Montana | $82K | -34% | 510 |
Showing 1–10 of 47 states
BLS does not publish data for every state when sample sizes are too small
Track veterinarians salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue numbers change.
Related careers in Healthcare
Frequently asked questions
How much do veterinarians make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median is $159,130 a year, that works out to about $77 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $105,080, and experienced veterinarians can clear $218,130. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $159K enough to live in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $9,960/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,501/month, which eats 25.1% 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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue?
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue has a Regional Price Parity of 111.13 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median veterinarians salary is worth about $143,193 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.