Veterinarian salary in Washington
Veterinarians in Washington earn a median of $160,510 a year ($77.17 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,390 workers.
Pay ranges from $97,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $265,600 for the top 10%. That is 23% higher than the national median of $130,100. Washington ranks 3rd of 49 states for veterinarians pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.67 veterinarians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $163,010, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for veterinarians in Washington
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $97,140 | $46.70 |
| 25th percentile | $124,990 | $60.09 |
| Median | $160,510 | $77.17 |
| 75th percentile | $197,370 | $94.89 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $265,600 | $127.69 |
| Average (mean) | $163,010 | $78.37 |
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 | $13,375.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,687.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,173.46 |
| Weekly | $3,086.73 |
| Hourly | $77.17 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Veterinarian salary in cities in Washington
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $163,810 | 1,330 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $163,520 | 60 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $158,880 | 100 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $158,600 | 90 |
| Yakima, WA | $158,180 | 100 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $156,980 | 40 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $151,820 | 160 |
| Bellingham, WA | $149,760 | 80 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $131,720 | 1,010 |
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 Washington
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $124,200 | $59.71 |
| Pharmacist | $160,610 | $77.22 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $156,100 | $75.05 |
| Dental Hygienist | $131,160 | $63.06 |
| Physicians, All Other | $307,170 | $147.68 |
| Physical Therapist | $105,950 | $50.94 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $105,550 | $50.74 |
| Physician Assistant | $164,360 | $79.02 |
| Occupational Therapist | $107,670 | $51.77 |
| Dentists, General | $169,730 | $81.60 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $101,130 | $48.62 |
| Anesthesiologist | $499,990 | $240.38 |
| Radiologist | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $84,220 | $40.49 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Washington
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 Washington?
The median salary for veterinarians in Washington is $160,510 a year, or $77.17 an hour. Pay ranges from $97,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $265,600 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid veterinarians make in Washington?
The top 10% of veterinarians in Washington earn at least $265,600 a year. The top 25% earn $197,370 or more.
What is the starting pay for veterinarians in Washington?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $97,140 a year, and a quarter of veterinarians earn $124,990 or less.
How many veterinarians work in Washington?
About 2,390 veterinarians are employed in Washington, not counting the self-employed.