Veterinarians Salary in California
Veterinarians in California earn a median annual wage of $163,920 —26.0% above the national median of $130,100. That ranks CA #1 of 49 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment concentration (0.93×) is close to the national average.
Highest-paying states for veterinarians
All 49 states ranked by median annual wage. California is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $163,920 | $78.81 | 9,170 | 0.93 |
| 2 | Maryland | $163,170 | $78.45 | 1,430 | 0.96 |
| 3 | Washington | $160,510 | $77.17 | 2,390 | 1.25 |
| 4 | New Jersey | $160,140 | $76.99 | 1,910 | 0.82 |
| 5 | Arizona | $152,020 | $73.09 | 2,080 | 1.19 |
| 6 | Massachusetts | $140,260 | $67.43 | 1,920 | 0.98 |
| 7 | District of Columbia | $134,530 | $64.68 | 190 | 0.49 |
| 8 | Illinois | $133,580 | $64.22 | 2,330 | 0.71 |
| 9 | Pennsylvania | $133,520 | $64.19 | 3,490 | 1.07 |
| 10 | Minnesota | $133,110 | $64.00 | 2,140 | 1.34 |
Related occupations in California
Occupations in the same job family, compared within California.
| Occupation | California median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurses | $140,270 | $97,550 |
| Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | $79,750 | $64,400 |
| Pharmacy Technicians | $55,110 | $45,750 |
| Physicians, All Other | $281,590 | $265,930 |
| Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians | $76,010 | $62,930 |
| Nurse Practitioners | $168,520 | $132,300 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do veterinarians make in California?
The median annual wage for veterinarians in California is $163,920, or $78.81 per hour. That is 26.0% above the national median of $130,100.
What is the entry-level veterinarians salary in California?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $74,850 per year ($35.98/hour). The 25th percentile is $125,460.
How many people work as veterinarians in California?
About 9,170 people work in this occupation in California, or 0.5 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is California a good state for veterinarians?
California ranks #1 of 49 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment concentration (0.93x) is close to the national average.
Which state pays veterinarians the most?
California has the highest median wage at $163,920 per year, followed by Maryland ($163,170) and Washington ($160,510).