Veterinarian Salary in District of Columbia (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Veterinarians in District of Columbia, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
District of Columbia Median
$134,530
per year
Hourly Rate
$64.68
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+3% vs US median
US median $130,100
State Rank
#7 of 49
190 employed here

How much does a Veterinarian make in District of Columbia?

A Veterinarian working in District of Columbia earns a median salary of $134,530 per year, or about $64.68 per hour. That is 3% above the national median of $130,100 for this occupation.

Within District of Columbia, entry-level pay starts around $69,990 while the top 10% make $294,160 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $132,520 and $193,860 a year.

Veterinarian salary range in District of Columbia

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$69,990$33.65
25th percentile (early career)$132,520$63.71
50th percentile (median)$134,530$64.68
75th percentile (experienced)$193,860$93.20
90th percentile (top earners)$294,160$141.42

How District of Columbia compares

District of Columbia ranks 7th out of 49 states and territories for Veterinarian pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1California$163,920
2Maryland$163,170
3Washington$160,510
4New Jersey$160,140
5Arizona$152,020

Working as a Veterinarian in District of Columbia

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 District of Columbia pay ($134,530) 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 District of Columbia?
The median Veterinarian salary in District of Columbia is $134,530 per year, or about $64.68 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $69,990 at the entry level to $294,160 for the top 10% of earners.
How does District of Columbia pay compare to the national average?
District of Columbia pays Veterinarians about 3% more than the national median of $130,100. District of Columbia ranks 7th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is District of Columbia a good state for Veterinarians?
Yes on pay — District of Columbia pays above the national median for this occupation, at $134,530 a year. About 190 Veterinarians are employed in District of Columbia. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in District of Columbia?
The highest-paying occupations in District of Columbia include Neurologist ($332,000), Emergency Medicine Physician ($318,200), Podiatrist ($265,740), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Veterinarian salary report

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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.