Veterinarian salary in South Carolina
Veterinarians in South Carolina earn a median of $122,130 a year ($58.72 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,380 workers.
Pay ranges from $48,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $200,860 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $130,100. South Carolina ranks 35th of 49 states for veterinarians pay. There are 0.60 veterinarians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $126,280, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for veterinarians in South Carolina
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $48,140 | $23.15 |
| 25th percentile | $96,920 | $46.60 |
| Median | $122,130 | $58.72 |
| 75th percentile | $157,220 | $75.59 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $200,860 | $96.57 |
| Average (mean) | $126,280 | $60.71 |
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 | $10,177.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,088.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,697.31 |
| Weekly | $2,348.65 |
| Hourly | $58.72 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Veterinarian salary in cities in South Carolina
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia, SC | $129,960 | 210 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $129,080 | 750 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $128,630 | 80 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $123,920 | 320 |
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $122,130 | 330 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $121,420 | 50 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $120,110 | 140 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $103,490 | 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 |
Related jobs in South Carolina
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $82,360 | $39.60 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $123,290 | $59.28 |
| Pharmacist | $135,700 | $65.24 |
| Physicians, All Other | $274,480 | $131.96 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,330 | $48.72 |
| Dental Hygienist | $84,340 | $40.55 |
| Physician Assistant | $122,490 | $58.89 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $90,530 | $43.52 |
| Dentists, General | $158,640 | $76.27 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $77,740 | $37.38 |
| Occupational Therapist | $101,130 | $48.62 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $359,500 | $172.84 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $239,200 | $115.00 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $265,480 | $127.64 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in South Carolina
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 South Carolina?
The median salary for veterinarians in South Carolina is $122,130 a year, or $58.72 an hour. Pay ranges from $48,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $200,860 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid veterinarians make in South Carolina?
The top 10% of veterinarians in South Carolina earn at least $200,860 a year. The top 25% earn $157,220 or more.
What is the starting pay for veterinarians in South Carolina?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $48,140 a year, and a quarter of veterinarians earn $96,920 or less.
How many veterinarians work in South Carolina?
About 1,380 veterinarians are employed in South Carolina, not counting the self-employed.