How Much Does a Veterinarian Make? Salary by State
Median annual salary (U.S.)
$130,100
Veterinarians in the U.S. earn a median of $130,100 a year, or $62.55 an hour. Half of veterinarians earn more than $130,100 and half earn less. The top 10% make more than $215,700.
Pay percentiles for veterinarians
| Percentile | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35.54 | $73,920 |
| 25th | $48.78 | $101,460 |
| 50th (median) | $62.55 | $130,100 |
| 75th | $79.87 | $166,120 |
| 90th | $103.70 | $215,700 |
U.S. wages, May 2025. BLS occupation: Veterinarians (SOC 29-1131). Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Highest-paying states for veterinarians
| State | Median annual | Median hourly | vs. U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $163,920 | $78.81 | +26% |
| Maryland | $163,170 | $78.45 | +25% |
| Washington | $160,510 | $77.17 | +23% |
| New Jersey | $160,140 | $76.99 | +23% |
| Arizona | $152,020 | $73.09 | +17% |
| Massachusetts | $140,260 | $67.43 | +8% |
| District of Columbia | $134,530 | $64.68 | +3% |
| Illinois | $133,580 | $64.22 | +3% |
| Pennsylvania | $133,520 | $64.19 | +3% |
| Minnesota | $133,110 | $64.00 | +2% |
| United States | $130,100 | $62.55 | — |
Top 10 states by median annual wage, May 2025. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
How many veterinarians are there?
BLS counts about 83,900 veterinarians employed in the U.S. (May 2025, excluding the self-employed). The most jobs are in California (9,170), Texas (6,270) and Florida (5,360).
The mean (average) annual wage is $142,680, higher than the median of $130,100.
Hourly to annual pay calculator
Per year
- Monthly
- $10,842
- Biweekly
- $5,004
- Weekly
- $2,502
- Daily (8 hours)
- $500
- Hours per year
- 2,080
BLS annual figure; hourly × 2,080 may differ slightly.
Frequently asked questions
How much do veterinarians make an hour?
The median hourly wage for veterinarians is $62.55. The middle 50% earn between $48.78 and $79.87 an hour.
Which state pays veterinarians the most?
California has the highest median wage for veterinarians at $163,920, +26% vs. the U.S. median.
What is the starting salary for veterinarians?
BLS does not report pay by experience, but the lowest-paid 10% of veterinarians earn less than $73,920 a year, a common proxy for entry-level pay.