Veterinarian salary in Colorado
Veterinarians in Colorado earn a median of $130,840 a year ($62.91 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,340 workers.
Pay ranges from $77,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $211,930 for the top 10%. That is 1% higher than the national median of $130,100. Colorado ranks 15th of 49 states for veterinarians pay. There are 0.81 veterinarians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $137,190, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for veterinarians in Colorado
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $77,710 | $37.36 |
| 25th percentile | $102,090 | $49.08 |
| Median | $130,840 | $62.91 |
| 75th percentile | $162,110 | $77.94 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $211,930 | $101.89 |
| Average (mean) | $137,190 | $65.96 |
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 | $10,903.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,451.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,032.31 |
| Weekly | $2,516.15 |
| Hourly | $62.91 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Veterinarian salary in cities in Colorado
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO | $135,090 | 1,160 |
| Boulder, CO | $132,020 | 180 |
| Colorado Springs, CO | $126,790 | 280 |
| Greeley, CO | $126,730 | 100 |
| Grand Junction, CO | $117,520 | 50 |
| Fort Collins-Loveland, CO | $112,450 | 300 |
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 Colorado
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $100,260 | $48.20 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,030 | $49.05 |
| Pharmacist | $156,030 | $75.01 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $110,750 | $53.25 |
| Dental Hygienist | $109,580 | $52.68 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $132,930 | $63.91 |
| Occupational Therapist | $106,720 | $51.31 |
| Physician Assistant | $134,540 | $64.68 |
| Dentists, General | $166,240 | $79.92 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $265,560 | $127.67 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $86,220 | $41.45 |
| Physicians, All Other | $298,320 | $143.42 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $75,510 | $36.30 |
| Chiropractor | $74,040 | $35.60 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Colorado
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 Colorado?
The median salary for veterinarians in Colorado is $130,840 a year, or $62.91 an hour. Pay ranges from $77,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $211,930 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid veterinarians make in Colorado?
The top 10% of veterinarians in Colorado earn at least $211,930 a year. The top 25% earn $162,110 or more.
What is the starting pay for veterinarians in Colorado?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $77,710 a year, and a quarter of veterinarians earn $102,090 or less.
How many veterinarians work in Colorado?
About 2,340 veterinarians are employed in Colorado, not counting the self-employed.