Veterinarian Salary in 2026
How Much Do Veterinarians Make?
Veterinarians earn a median annual salary of $125,510 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $70,350 at the 10th percentile to $212,890 at the 90th percentile — a range of $142,540. The highest-paying state is California at $158,950.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $70,350 |
| 25th percentile | $98,420 |
| Median (50th) | $125,510 |
| 75th percentile | $161,610 |
| 90th percentile | $212,890 |
Veterinarian Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Californiatop | $158,950 |
| Washington | $155,060 |
| District of Columbia | $153,200 |
| New Jersey | $148,550 |
| West Virginia | $134,290 |
| Vermont | $134,240 |
| Arizona | $132,810 |
| Massachusetts | $131,500 |
| New York | $131,330 |
| Florida | $131,170 |
| Connecticut | $130,700 |
| Pennsylvania | $129,510 |
| New Hampshire | $128,890 |
| Illinois | $128,290 |
| Rhode Island | $126,860 |
| South Carolina | $126,720 |
| New Mexico | $126,710 |
| Tennessee | $125,420 |
| Virginia | $124,110 |
| Maine | $124,070 |
| North Carolina | $123,430 |
| Ohio | $123,140 |
| Colorado | $122,980 |
| Utah | $121,850 |
| Nevada | $121,720 |
| Texas | $121,220 |
| Louisiana | $120,630 |
| Missouri | $119,640 |
| Indiana | $119,230 |
| Minnesota | $117,340 |
| Georgia | $115,220 |
| Michigan | $112,320 |
| Idaho | $106,080 |
| Wisconsin | $104,440 |
| Oregon | $102,910 |
| Hawaii | $102,730 |
| Kansas | $102,510 |
| Mississippi | $101,300 |
| Iowa | $100,910 |
| Arkansas | $100,820 |
| North Dakota | $99,490 |
| Kentucky | $98,210 |
| Alabama | $98,060 |
| Oklahoma | $96,360 |
| Wyoming | $95,400 |
| South Dakota | $89,970 |
| Nebraska | $83,710 |
| Montana | $82,340 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Veterinarians
Veterinarian Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$70,350 – $98,420 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$125,510 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$161,610 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $212,890+ |
How to Earn More as a Veterinarian
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Veterinarians in San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA earn $187,990 — $62,480 above the national median. An advanced credential — such as a graduate degree or specialized certification — is consistently associated with higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($161,610) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Veterinarian Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Veterinarianthis career | $125,510 |
| Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeon | $239,200 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $129,210 |
| Anesthesiologist | $239,200 |
| Dermatologist | $239,200 |
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SOC: 29-1131.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.