Veterinarian salary in St. Louis, MO-IL
Veterinarians in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn a median of $122,460 a year ($58.87 an hour), based on BLS data for 810 workers.
Pay ranges from $74,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $195,480 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $130,100. Pay here is 7% higher than the Missouri statewide median of $114,660. There are 0.60 veterinarians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $132,010, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for veterinarians in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $74,680 | $35.91 |
| 25th percentile | $103,690 | $49.85 |
| Median | $122,460 | $58.87 |
| 75th percentile | $153,450 | $73.78 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $195,480 | $93.98 |
| Average (mean) | $132,010 | $63.47 |
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 | $10,205 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,102.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,710 |
| Weekly | $2,355 |
| Hourly | $58.87 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $148,730 | 1,530 |
| Peoria, IL | $135,860 | 70 |
| Rockford, IL | $132,720 | 50 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $124,470 | 100 |
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $122,490 | 750 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $118,290 | 40 |
| Springfield, IL | $113,890 | 40 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $106,520 | 80 |
| Springfield, MO | $102,740 | 140 |
| Joplin, MO-KS | $102,700 | 50 |
| Jefferson City, MO | $101,230 | 50 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $100,360 | 30 |
| Columbia, MO | $99,620 | 140 |
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 Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in St. Louis, MO-IL
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $83,180 | $39.99 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $131,580 | $63.26 |
| Pharmacist | $138,530 | $66.60 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,600 | $48.37 |
| Physicians, All Other | $246,440 | $118.48 |
| Dental Hygienist | $97,650 | $46.95 |
| Occupational Therapist | $95,770 | $46.04 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $76,830 | $36.94 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $86,480 | $41.58 |
| Physician Assistant | $136,120 | $65.44 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $79,210 | $38.08 |
| Dentists, General | $210,430 | $101.17 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $70,360 | $33.83 |
| Nurse Anesthetist | $232,300 | $111.68 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in St. Louis, MO-IL
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 St. Louis, MO-IL?
The median salary for veterinarians in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area is $122,460 a year, or $58.87 an hour. Pay ranges from $74,680 for the lowest-paid 10% to $195,480 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid veterinarians make in St. Louis, MO-IL?
The top 10% of veterinarians in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area earn at least $195,480 a year. The top 25% earn $153,450 or more.
What is the starting pay for veterinarians in St. Louis, MO-IL?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $74,680 a year, and a quarter of veterinarians earn $103,690 or less.
How many veterinarians work in St. Louis, MO-IL?
About 810 veterinarians are employed in the St. Louis, MO-IL metro area, not counting the self-employed.