Veterinarian salary in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL
Veterinarians in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area earn a median of $129,810 a year ($62.41 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $60,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $245,220 for the top 10%. That is about the same as the national median of $130,100. Pay here is 1% lower than the Florida statewide median of $131,660. There are 0.46 veterinarians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $143,250, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for veterinarians in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $60,180 | $28.93 |
| 25th percentile | $80,090 | $38.51 |
| Median | $129,810 | $62.41 |
| 75th percentile | $179,990 | $86.53 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $245,220 | $117.89 |
| Average (mean) | $143,250 | $68.87 |
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 | $10,817.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,408.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,992.69 |
| Weekly | $2,496.35 |
| Hourly | $62.41 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL | $146,960 | 140 |
| Tallahassee, FL | $140,830 | 170 |
| Naples-Marco Island, FL | $137,010 | 80 |
| North Port-Bradenton-Sarasota, FL | $136,840 | 200 |
| Sebastian-Vero Beach-West Vero Corridor, FL | $133,950 | 50 |
| Palm Bay-Melbourne-Titusville, FL | $133,850 | 150 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $133,810 | 470 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $132,440 | 570 |
| Deltona-Daytona Beach-Ormond Beach, FL | $131,780 | 130 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $131,190 | 1,060 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $129,890 | 1,150 |
| Ocala, FL | $129,410 | 120 |
| Crestview-Fort Walton Beach-Destin, FL | $128,990 | 120 |
| Cape Coral-Fort Myers, FL | $128,940 | 150 |
| Port St. Lucie, FL | $128,260 | 100 |
| Homosassa Springs, FL | $123,220 | 30 |
| Punta Gorda, FL | $118,600 | 40 |
| Gainesville, FL | $115,210 | 120 |
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 Florida statewide figures.
Related jobs in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $84,030 | $40.40 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $125,720 | $60.44 |
| Pharmacist | $142,380 | $68.45 |
| Physical Therapist | $98,740 | $47.47 |
| Physicians, All Other | $295,940 | $142.28 |
| Dental Hygienist | $93,080 | $44.75 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $86,300 | $41.49 |
| Physician Assistant | $121,540 | $58.43 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $86,550 | $41.61 |
| Dentists, General | $205,300 | $98.70 |
| Occupational Therapist | $95,070 | $45.71 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $247,090 | $118.79 |
| Optometrist | $157,140 | $75.55 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $71,100 | $34.19 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL
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 Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL?
The median salary for veterinarians in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area is $129,810 a year, or $62.41 an hour. Pay ranges from $60,180 for the lowest-paid 10% to $245,220 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid veterinarians make in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL?
The top 10% of veterinarians in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area earn at least $245,220 a year. The top 25% earn $179,990 or more.
What is the starting pay for veterinarians in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $60,180 a year, and a quarter of veterinarians earn $80,090 or less.
How many veterinarians work in Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL?
About 120 veterinarians are employed in the Lakeland-Winter Haven, FL metro area, not counting the self-employed.