verified BLS-Verified Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) May 2025 release

Veterinarian Salary in California

Median Annual in California
$163,920/yr
Median Hourly Wage
$78.81/hr
▲ 26% above U.S. median

Salary Distribution in California

groups Employed in CA
9,170
public U.S. Median
$130,100
savings Real pay (cost-adjusted)
$148,049 #4 of 49

Veterinarian pay in California, explained

Veterinarians in California earn a median of $163,920 per year ($78.81 per hour), which is 26% above the national median of $130,100. Entry-level workers earn around $74,850, while the most experienced veterinarians reach about $286,330. Pay varies by employer, setting, and metro area within California.

Is $163,920 good pay in California?

Adjusted for California's cost of living (which runs 111% of the U.S. average), that $163,920 is worth about $148,049 in national buying power — ranking California #4 for real pay (vs #1 on the sticker number).

See the full Veterinarian Real Pay Index arrow_forward

Veterinarian pay by experience in California

Entry level (10th pct)
$74,850
$35.99/hr
Median
Mid-career (50th pct)
$163,920
$78.81/hr
Experienced (90th pct)
$286,330
$137.66/hr

Veterinarian pay in neighboring states

StateMedian / yrReal payvs CA
California (here) $163,920 $148,049
Arizona $152,020 $150,998 +$11,900
Oregon $128,880 $124,689 +$35,040
Nevada $125,550 $125,576 +$38,370

Veterinarian in California: FAQ

How much do veterinarians make in California?

Veterinarians in California earn a median of $163,920 per year ($78.81 per hour), compared with $130,100 nationally.

Does California pay veterinarians well?

At $163,920, California pays 26% above the national median for veterinarians. An estimated 9,170 work in the state.

Veterinarian salary in other states

All 49 states ranked arrow_forward

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