Veterinarian salary in Salinas, CA
Veterinarians in the Salinas, CA metro area earn a median of $163,080 a year ($78.41 an hour), based on BLS data for 120 workers.
Pay ranges from $64,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $262,980 for the top 10%. That is 25% higher than the national median of $130,100. Pay here is 1% lower than the California statewide median of $163,920. There are 0.62 veterinarians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $162,530, close to the median.
Pay range for veterinarians in Salinas, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $64,790 | $31.15 |
| 25th percentile | $117,210 | $56.35 |
| Median | $163,080 | $78.41 |
| 75th percentile | $207,810 | $99.91 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $262,980 | $126.43 |
| Average (mean) | $162,530 | $78.14 |
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 | $13,590 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,795 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,272.31 |
| Weekly | $3,136.15 |
| Hourly | $78.41 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $208,080 | 1,350 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $192,160 | 350 |
| Napa, CA | $172,600 | 30 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $165,260 | 830 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $164,820 | 130 |
| Modesto, CA | $162,160 | 120 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $160,860 | 660 |
| Chico, CA | $160,180 | 60 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $160,080 | 2,740 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $159,750 | 1,080 |
| Redding, CA | $159,010 | 60 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $158,840 | 140 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $158,810 | 290 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $158,770 | 210 |
| Vallejo, CA | $157,710 | 70 |
| Fresno, CA | $157,460 | 170 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $151,990 | 110 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $150,780 | 100 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $144,020 | 90 |
| Visalia, CA | $133,370 | 50 |
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 California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Salinas, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $134,910 | $64.86 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $410,370 | $197.29 |
| Pharmacist | $166,470 | $80.03 |
| Physicians, All Other | $384,990 | $185.09 |
| Dental Hygienist | $122,370 | $58.83 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $122,770 | $59.02 |
| Physical Therapist | $127,120 | $61.12 |
| Dentists, General | $185,040 | $88.96 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $166,090 | $79.85 |
| Physician Assistant | $170,180 | $81.82 |
| Occupational Therapist | $123,180 | $59.22 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $101,640 | $48.86 |
| Optometrist | $133,350 | $64.11 |
| Psychiatrist | $178,630 | $85.88 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Salinas, CA
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 Salinas, CA?
The median salary for veterinarians in the Salinas, CA metro area is $163,080 a year, or $78.41 an hour. Pay ranges from $64,790 for the lowest-paid 10% to $262,980 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid veterinarians make in Salinas, CA?
The top 10% of veterinarians in the Salinas, CA metro area earn at least $262,980 a year. The top 25% earn $207,810 or more.
What is the starting pay for veterinarians in Salinas, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $64,790 a year, and a quarter of veterinarians earn $117,210 or less.
How many veterinarians work in Salinas, CA?
About 120 veterinarians are employed in the Salinas, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.