Veterinarian Salary in 2026
Veterinarians diagnose and treat diseases and injuries in animals, performing surgery, prescribing medicine, and advising pet owners. They work in clinics, hospitals, and research facilities.
Median Salary
$130,100
$10,842/mo
Entry Level
$98,200
starting pay
Senior Level
$163,200
experienced
Job Growth
+19%
10-yr outlook
BLS OEWS May 2025 · official national figures
BLS reports Veterinarians (SOC 29-1131) at a national median of $130,100 per year (mean $142,680), or $62.55 per hour, with 83,900 people employed nationwide. The median above is this BLS figure; the entry, senior and top tiers are Salario estimates calibrated to it. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 release.
Veterinarian Overview
Veterinarians diagnose and treat diseases and injuries in animals, performing surgery, prescribing medicine, and advising pet owners. They work in clinics, hospitals, and research facilities.
Education
Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
Experience
0-2 years
Industry
Healthcare
Total Jobs (US)
84K
5-Year Growth
+13%
Category
Healthcare
Hourly Rate
$62.55/hr
Monthly Pay
$10,842
Veterinarian Salary Calculator
Adjust your state and experience level to see the estimated Veterinarian salary in your area.
Mid Career (5-9 yrs)
Estimated Veterinarian Salary
$141,000
$11,750/month · $5,423/biweekly · $67.79/hr
Veterinarian Salary Range
Salary distribution from entry-level to top earners in the Veterinarian field.
Entry-level Veterinarians earn around $98,200, while the top 10% earn $184,100 or more.
Top Paying States for Veterinarians
| State | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| California | $154,000 | +$23,900 |
| New York | $150,000 | +$19,900 |
| Pennsylvania | $130,000 | $-100 |
| Texas | $127,000 | $-3,100 |
| Florida | $127,000 | $-3,100 |
Top Paying Cities for Veterinarians
| City | Est. Median Salary | vs National |
|---|---|---|
| Los AngelesBLS metro | $160,080 | +$29,980 |
| New YorkBLS metro | $156,150 | +$26,050 |
| PhiladelphiaBLS metro | $139,810 | +$9,710 |
| HoustonBLS metro | $132,280 | +$2,180 |
| MiamiBLS metro | $129,890 | $-210 |
Rows marked BLS metro are the BLS OEWS May 2025 median annual wage for Veterinarians in that city's metropolitan statistical area (5 of 5); the remaining rows are Salario estimates that scale the national median by a city cost-of-labor multiplier.
Required Skills & Certifications
Key Skills
Certifications
Veterinarian Career Progression
Typical salary growth path for a Veterinarian from entry level to expert.
$98,200
0-2 years
$131,000
3-7 years
$163,200
8-14 years
$205,000
15+ years
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Veterinarian Salary FAQ
How much does a Veterinarian make in 2026?
The median salary for a Veterinarian in the United States is $130,100 per year, the BLS OEWS May 2025 national median for Veterinarians (SOC 29-1131); the mean is $142,680. Salario's calibrated tiers put entry-level positions around $98,200, senior professionals around $163,200, and top earners at $205,000 or more annually.
What education is needed to become a Veterinarian?
A Veterinarian typically requires a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) with 0-2 years of experience. Key skills include Surgery, Diagnostics, Pharmacology. Relevant certifications such as State Veterinary License or NAVLE can boost earning potential and career advancement.
What is the job outlook for Veterinarians?
The job market for Veterinarians is projected to grow by 19% over the next decade. There are currently approximately 84K Veterinarian positions in the US. Salary growth over the past 5 years has been approximately 13%, reflecting strong demand for this role.
Which states pay Veterinarians the most?
The highest-paying states for Veterinarians include California, New York, Texas. In California, the median salary is approximately $154,000. However, cost of living varies significantly, so adjusted purchasing power should be considered when comparing salaries across states.
How can I increase my Veterinarian salary?
To increase your Veterinarian salary, focus on gaining expertise in high-demand skills like Surgery and Diagnostics. Pursue certifications such as State Veterinary License. Consider relocating to higher-paying markets like Los Angeles. With 0-2 years of experience, you can progress from $98,200 to $163,200 or more.
Methodology & Data Sources: Veterinarian Salary
How we calculate Veterinarian salary data: The national median is the official BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median wage for Veterinarians (SOC 29-1131), retrieved from the BLS Public Data API. The entry, senior and top tiers are a Salario model: the shape of the distribution is Salario's, rescaled so that its median equals the BLS median. State and most city figures are Salario estimates that apply cost-of-labor multipliers to that median.
- National median salary: $130,100, BLS OEWS May 2025 annual median for Veterinarians; BLS mean $142,680; BLS hourly median $62.55.
- Entry-level ($98,200) and senior-level ($163,200) are Salario tiers calibrated to the BLS median; they are not BLS percentiles. BLS publishes P10/P25/P75/P90 wages for this occupation in its OEWS tables.
- Job outlook: +19% projected growth is Salario's outlook figure; compare with the BLS Employment Projections program. BLS OEWS May 2025 counts 83,900 Veterinarians jobs nationwide.
- 5-year salary growth: 13% is a Salario estimate of past 5-year wage growth for the Healthcare sector, informed by the BLS Employment Cost Index.
- Education requirement: Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), per BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook entry for this occupation.
- State and city estimates apply Salario cost-of-labor multipliers to the national median of $130,100; city rows marked "BLS metro" are real OEWS metropolitan-area medians instead.
Authoritative US data sources for Veterinarian compensation:
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national and metro-area salary data
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, Veterinarian job projections, education, and career outlook
- BLS Employment Projections, 10-year occupation growth and decline data
- BLS Employment Cost Index, quarterly compensation trend data for Healthcare
- BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), regional inflation for cost-of-living wage adjustments
- IRS Revenue Procedure 2025-32 summary, 2026 federal tax brackets and standard deductions
Disclaimer: Veterinarian salary figures are statistical estimates for general guidance. Actual compensation depends on employer, location, negotiation, specific skills (Surgery, Diagnostics, Pharmacology), certifications, and industry conditions. Always verify with multiple sources including current job listings, recruiter data, and direct employer offers before making career decisions.
Reviewed by Harlan Voss · Last updated May 17, 2026 · BLS figures: OEWS May 2025 release (published May 2026), retrieved from the BLS API on September 17, 2026
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