Veterinarian salary in New Jersey
Veterinarians in New Jersey earn a median of $160,140 a year ($76.99 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,910 workers.
Pay ranges from $103,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $274,850 for the top 10%. That is 23% higher than the national median of $130,100. New Jersey ranks 4th of 49 states for veterinarians pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.45 veterinarians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $166,170, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for veterinarians in New Jersey
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $103,720 | $49.87 |
| 25th percentile | $126,480 | $60.81 |
| Median | $160,140 | $76.99 |
| 75th percentile | $202,930 | $97.56 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $274,850 | $132.14 |
| Average (mean) | $166,170 | $79.89 |
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 | $13,345 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,672.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,159.23 |
| Weekly | $3,079.62 |
| Hourly | $76.99 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Veterinarian salary in cities in New Jersey
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $164,620 | 60 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $156,150 | 3,150 |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | $150,520 | 100 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $139,810 | 1,790 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $133,120 | 230 |
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 New Jersey
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $106,500 | $51.20 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $159,310 | $76.59 |
| Physical Therapist | $112,140 | $53.91 |
| Physicians, All Other | $285,010 | $137.02 |
| Pharmacist | $137,620 | $66.16 |
| Dental Hygienist | $107,040 | $51.46 |
| Therapists, All Other | $100,250 | $48.20 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $101,560 | $48.83 |
| Occupational Therapist | $103,410 | $49.72 |
| Physician Assistant | $165,690 | $79.66 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $100,810 | $48.47 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $292,170 | $140.47 |
| Dentists, General | $171,330 | $82.37 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $89,990 | $43.26 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in New Jersey
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 New Jersey?
The median salary for veterinarians in New Jersey is $160,140 a year, or $76.99 an hour. Pay ranges from $103,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $274,850 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid veterinarians make in New Jersey?
The top 10% of veterinarians in New Jersey earn at least $274,850 a year. The top 25% earn $202,930 or more.
What is the starting pay for veterinarians in New Jersey?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $103,720 a year, and a quarter of veterinarians earn $126,480 or less.
How many veterinarians work in New Jersey?
About 1,910 veterinarians are employed in New Jersey, not counting the self-employed.