California Median
$163,920
per year
Hourly Rate
$78.81
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+26% vs US median
US median $130,100
State Rank
#1 of 49
9,170 employed here
How much does a Veterinarian make in California?
Veterinarians in California take home a median of $163,920 annually — roughly $78.81 an hour — which runs 26% above the national median of $130,100.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $74,850 while the top 10% make $286,330 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $125,460 and $211,840 a year.
Veterinarian salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $74,850 | $35.99 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $125,460 | $60.32 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $163,920 | $78.81 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $211,840 | $101.85 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $286,330 | $137.66 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 1st out of 49 states and territories for Veterinarian pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Veterinarian salary in other states
Maryland $163,170Washington $160,510New Jersey $160,140Arizona $152,020Massachusetts $140,260District of Columbia $134,530Illinois $133,580Pennsylvania $133,520Minnesota $133,110New York $131,830Vermont $131,820Florida $131,660Texas $131,330Colorado $130,840Maine $130,600Hawaii $130,120New Mexico $129,390North Carolina $129,240West Virginia $128,990Oregon $128,880New Hampshire $128,190Virginia $126,730Georgia $126,590Rhode Island $126,570Connecticut $126,190Nevada $125,550Michigan $125,390Ohio $125,060Iowa $124,610Indiana $124,530Louisiana $124,370Tennessee $124,350Utah $123,990South Carolina $122,130Idaho $116,170Missouri $114,660Wisconsin $108,780Arkansas $107,710Kansas $107,080Alabama $105,630Mississippi $105,370Kentucky $104,100Nebraska $103,500North Dakota $102,180Montana $99,390Oklahoma $98,090Wyoming $97,240South Dakota $88,650
Working as a Veterinarian in California
Nationally, about 84,000 people work as Veterinarians in the United States. A bachelor's degree (about 4 years of college) is the standard entry requirement.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($163,920) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a Veterinarian make in California?
The median Veterinarian salary in California is $163,920 per year, or about $78.81 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $74,850 at the entry level to $286,330 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Veterinarians about 26% more than the national median of $130,100. California ranks 1st out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Veterinarians?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $163,920 a year. About 9,170 Veterinarians are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Veterinarian salary report
Related salaries
$170,950
median pay · 124,000 employed
$136,570
median pay · 43,000 employed
$140,910
median pay · 322,000 employed
$98,100
median pay · 223,000 employed
$100,330
median pay · 162,000 employed
$95,780
median pay · 14,000 employed
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.