Veterinarian salary in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
Veterinarians in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn a median of $135,090 a year ($64.95 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,160 workers.
Pay ranges from $86,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $217,950 for the top 10%. That is 4% higher than the national median of $130,100. Pay here is 3% higher than the Colorado statewide median of $130,840. There are 0.72 veterinarians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $150,070, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for veterinarians in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $86,250 | $41.47 |
| 25th percentile | $126,790 | $60.96 |
| Median | $135,090 | $64.95 |
| 75th percentile | $164,220 | $78.95 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $217,950 | $104.78 |
| Average (mean) | $150,070 | $72.15 |
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 | $11,257.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,628.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,195.77 |
| Weekly | $2,597.88 |
| Hourly | $64.95 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
See Veterinarian pay in every state or the Colorado statewide figures.
Related jobs in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $101,130 | $48.62 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,340 | $49.20 |
| Pharmacist | $157,890 | $75.91 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $112,090 | $53.89 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $134,040 | $64.44 |
| Dental Hygienist | $113,760 | $54.69 |
| Dentists, General | $168,620 | $81.07 |
| Occupational Therapist | $107,500 | $51.68 |
| Physician Assistant | $134,540 | $64.68 |
| Physicians, All Other | $298,600 | $143.56 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $85,870 | $41.28 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $255,590 | $122.88 |
| Chiropractor | $84,100 | $40.43 |
| Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other | $96,160 | $46.23 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
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 Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The median salary for veterinarians in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $135,090 a year, or $64.95 an hour. Pay ranges from $86,250 for the lowest-paid 10% to $217,950 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid veterinarians make in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The top 10% of veterinarians in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn at least $217,950 a year. The top 25% earn $164,220 or more.
What is the starting pay for veterinarians in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $86,250 a year, and a quarter of veterinarians earn $126,790 or less.
How many veterinarians work in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
About 1,160 veterinarians are employed in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.