Veterinarian salary in Richmond, VA
Veterinarians in the Richmond, VA metro area earn a median of $121,670 a year ($58.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 420 workers.
Pay ranges from $81,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $216,120 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $130,100. Pay here is 4% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $126,730. There are 0.63 veterinarians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $138,940, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for veterinarians in Richmond, VA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $81,070 | $38.98 |
| 25th percentile | $95,380 | $45.85 |
| Median | $121,670 | $58.50 |
| 75th percentile | $165,740 | $79.69 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $216,120 | $103.91 |
| Average (mean) | $138,940 | $66.80 |
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 | $10,139.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,069.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,679.62 |
| Weekly | $2,339.81 |
| Hourly | $58.50 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $154,350 | 1,740 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $127,460 | 90 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $122,010 | 500 |
| Roanoke, VA | $121,940 | 100 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $119,990 | 50 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $118,830 | 40 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $107,870 | 70 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $105,300 | 60 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $105,090 | 70 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $97,960 | 60 |
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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Richmond, VA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $93,580 | $44.99 |
| Physicians, All Other | $284,090 | $136.58 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $127,820 | $61.45 |
| Pharmacist | $144,940 | $69.68 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,700 | $49.37 |
| Dental Hygienist | $104,250 | $50.12 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $96,080 | $46.19 |
| Occupational Therapist | $105,550 | $50.74 |
| Dentists, General | $218,880 | $105.23 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $81,750 | $39.31 |
| Physician Assistant | $126,810 | $60.97 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $208,750 | $100.36 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $78,900 | $37.93 |
| Obstetricians and Gynecologists | $224,240 | $107.81 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Richmond, VA
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 Richmond, VA?
The median salary for veterinarians in the Richmond, VA metro area is $121,670 a year, or $58.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $81,070 for the lowest-paid 10% to $216,120 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid veterinarians make in Richmond, VA?
The top 10% of veterinarians in the Richmond, VA metro area earn at least $216,120 a year. The top 25% earn $165,740 or more.
What is the starting pay for veterinarians in Richmond, VA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $81,070 a year, and a quarter of veterinarians earn $95,380 or less.
How many veterinarians work in Richmond, VA?
About 420 veterinarians are employed in the Richmond, VA metro area, not counting the self-employed.