Veterinarian salary in Bakersfield-Delano, CA
Veterinarians in the Bakersfield-Delano, CA metro area earn a median of $150,780 a year ($72.49 an hour), based on BLS data for 100 workers.
Pay ranges from $61,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $276,250 for the top 10%. That is 16% higher than the national median of $130,100. Pay here is 8% lower than the California statewide median of $163,920. There are 0.28 veterinarians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.53). The average (mean) salary is $160,850, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for veterinarians in Bakersfield-Delano, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,270 | $29.46 |
| 25th percentile | $118,130 | $56.79 |
| Median | $150,780 | $72.49 |
| 75th percentile | $210,650 | $101.28 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $276,250 | $132.81 |
| Average (mean) | $160,850 | $77.33 |
Half of veterinarians earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $12,565 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,282.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,799.23 |
| Weekly | $2,899.62 |
| Hourly | $72.49 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Veterinarian salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $208,080 | 1,350 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $192,160 | 350 |
| Napa, CA | $172,600 | 30 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $165,260 | 830 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $164,820 | 130 |
| Salinas, CA | $163,080 | 120 |
| Modesto, CA | $162,160 | 120 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $160,860 | 660 |
| Chico, CA | $160,180 | 60 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $160,080 | 2,740 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $159,750 | 1,080 |
| Redding, CA | $159,010 | 60 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $158,840 | 140 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $158,810 | 290 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $158,770 | 210 |
| Vallejo, CA | $157,710 | 70 |
| Fresno, CA | $157,460 | 170 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $151,990 | 110 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $144,020 | 90 |
| Visalia, CA | $133,370 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for veterinarians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $163,920 |
| Maryland | $163,170 |
| Washington | $160,510 |
| New Jersey | $160,140 |
| Arizona | $152,020 |
| Massachusetts | $140,260 |
| District of Columbia | $134,530 |
| Illinois | $133,580 |
| Pennsylvania | $133,520 |
| Minnesota | $133,110 |
See Veterinarian pay in every state or the California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Bakersfield-Delano, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $128,810 | $61.93 |
| Pharmacist | $161,930 | $77.85 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $165,580 | $79.61 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $102,760 | $49.40 |
| Physician Assistant | $198,070 | $95.23 |
| Dental Hygienist | $114,380 | $54.99 |
| Physical Therapist | $125,490 | $60.33 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $117,350 | $56.42 |
| Dentists, General | $172,120 | $82.75 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $332,530 | $159.87 |
| Occupational Therapist | $123,200 | $59.23 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $90,760 | $43.63 |
| Optometrist | $129,370 | $62.20 |
| Pediatricians, General | $290,420 | $139.62 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Bakersfield-Delano, CA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1131. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a veterinarian make in Bakersfield-Delano, CA?
The median salary for veterinarians in the Bakersfield-Delano, CA metro area is $150,780 a year, or $72.49 an hour. Pay ranges from $61,270 for the lowest-paid 10% to $276,250 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid veterinarians make in Bakersfield-Delano, CA?
The top 10% of veterinarians in the Bakersfield-Delano, CA metro area earn at least $276,250 a year. The top 25% earn $210,650 or more.
What is the starting pay for veterinarians in Bakersfield-Delano, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $61,270 a year, and a quarter of veterinarians earn $118,130 or less.
How many veterinarians work in Bakersfield-Delano, CA?
About 100 veterinarians are employed in the Bakersfield-Delano, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.