Veterinarian salary in Virginia
Veterinarians in Virginia earn a median of $126,730 a year ($60.93 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,700 workers.
Pay ranges from $63,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $220,170 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $130,100. Virginia ranks 23rd of 49 states for veterinarians pay. There are 0.66 veterinarians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $143,080, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for veterinarians in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $63,350 | $30.46 |
| 25th percentile | $98,630 | $47.42 |
| Median | $126,730 | $60.93 |
| 75th percentile | $177,650 | $85.41 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $220,170 | $105.85 |
| Average (mean) | $143,080 | $68.79 |
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 | $10,560.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,280.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,874.23 |
| Weekly | $2,437.12 |
| Hourly | $60.93 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Veterinarian salary in cities in Virginia
| 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 |
| Richmond, VA | $121,670 | 420 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $93,600 | $45.00 |
| Physicians, All Other | $278,530 | $133.91 |
| Pharmacist | $144,060 | $69.26 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,450 | $48.78 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $127,810 | $61.45 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $96,250 | $46.27 |
| Physician Assistant | $135,940 | $65.36 |
| Occupational Therapist | $100,710 | $48.42 |
| Dentists, General | $197,110 | $94.76 |
| Dental Hygienist | $102,950 | $49.50 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $82,910 | $39.86 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $222,630 | $107.03 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $77,380 | $37.20 |
| Optometrist | $131,570 | $63.25 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Virginia
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 Virginia?
The median salary for veterinarians in Virginia is $126,730 a year, or $60.93 an hour. Pay ranges from $63,350 for the lowest-paid 10% to $220,170 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid veterinarians make in Virginia?
The top 10% of veterinarians in Virginia earn at least $220,170 a year. The top 25% earn $177,650 or more.
What is the starting pay for veterinarians in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $63,350 a year, and a quarter of veterinarians earn $98,630 or less.
How many veterinarians work in Virginia?
About 2,700 veterinarians are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.