Veterinarian salary in California
Veterinarians in California earn a median of $163,920 a year ($78.81 an hour), based on BLS data for 9,170 workers.
Pay ranges from $74,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $286,330 for the top 10%. That is 26% higher than the national median of $130,100. California ranks 1st of 49 states for veterinarians pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.50 veterinarians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $169,860, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for veterinarians in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $74,850 | $35.98 |
| 25th percentile | $125,460 | $60.32 |
| Median | $163,920 | $78.81 |
| 75th percentile | $211,840 | $101.85 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $286,330 | $137.66 |
| Average (mean) | $169,860 | $81.66 |
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 | $13,660 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,830 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,304.62 |
| Weekly | $3,152.31 |
| Hourly | $78.81 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Veterinarian salary in cities in California
| 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 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $150,780 | 100 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $140,270 | $67.44 |
| Pharmacist | $164,610 | $79.14 |
| Physical Therapist | $124,190 | $59.71 |
| Physicians, All Other | $281,590 | $135.38 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $168,520 | $81.02 |
| Dental Hygienist | $124,930 | $60.06 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $104,820 | $50.40 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $118,970 | $57.20 |
| Dentists, General | $165,950 | $79.79 |
| Occupational Therapist | $124,510 | $59.86 |
| Physician Assistant | $165,650 | $79.64 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $98,850 | $47.52 |
| Optometrist | $136,300 | $65.53 |
| Pediatricians, General | $214,140 | $102.95 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in California
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 California?
The median salary for veterinarians in California is $163,920 a year, or $78.81 an hour. Pay ranges from $74,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $286,330 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid veterinarians make in California?
The top 10% of veterinarians in California earn at least $286,330 a year. The top 25% earn $211,840 or more.
What is the starting pay for veterinarians in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $74,850 a year, and a quarter of veterinarians earn $125,460 or less.
How many veterinarians work in California?
About 9,170 veterinarians are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.