Veterinarian salary in Rhode Island
Veterinarians in Rhode Island earn a median of $126,570 a year ($60.85 an hour), based on BLS data for 430 workers.
Pay ranges from $106,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $196,300 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $130,100. Rhode Island ranks 25th of 49 states for veterinarians pay. There are 0.86 veterinarians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $133,850, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for veterinarians in Rhode Island
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $106,730 | $51.31 |
| 25th percentile | $108,820 | $52.32 |
| Median | $126,570 | $60.85 |
| 75th percentile | $139,730 | $67.18 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $196,300 | $94.38 |
| Average (mean) | $133,850 | $64.35 |
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 | $10,547.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,273.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,868.08 |
| Weekly | $2,434.04 |
| Hourly | $60.85 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Veterinarian salary in cities in Rhode Island
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $129,390 | 520 |
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 Rhode Island
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $100,640 | $48.39 |
| Pharmacist | $128,180 | $61.63 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $135,970 | $65.37 |
| Physicians, All Other | $228,590 | $109.90 |
| Physical Therapist | $99,400 | $47.79 |
| Physician Assistant | $139,930 | $67.27 |
| Dental Hygienist | $86,910 | $41.78 |
| Occupational Therapist | $100,040 | $48.10 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $104,000 | $50.00 |
| Dentists, General | $161,560 | $77.67 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $71,300 | $34.28 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $379,490 | $182.45 |
| Emergency Medicine Physician | $512,730 | $246.51 |
| Psychiatrist | $287,610 | $138.28 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Rhode Island
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 Rhode Island?
The median salary for veterinarians in Rhode Island is $126,570 a year, or $60.85 an hour. Pay ranges from $106,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $196,300 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid veterinarians make in Rhode Island?
The top 10% of veterinarians in Rhode Island earn at least $196,300 a year. The top 25% earn $139,730 or more.
What is the starting pay for veterinarians in Rhode Island?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $106,730 a year, and a quarter of veterinarians earn $108,820 or less.
How many veterinarians work in Rhode Island?
About 430 veterinarians are employed in Rhode Island, not counting the self-employed.