Veterinarian Salary in Rhode Island (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Rhode Island Median
$126,570
per year
Hourly Rate
$60.85
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-3% vs US median
US median $130,100
State Rank
#25 of 49
430 employed here

How much does a Veterinarian make in Rhode Island?

A Veterinarian working in Rhode Island earns a median salary of $126,570 per year, or about $60.85 per hour. That is 3% below the national median of $130,100 for this occupation.

Within Rhode Island, entry-level pay starts around $106,730 while the top 10% make $196,300 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $108,820 and $139,730 a year.

Veterinarian salary range in Rhode Island

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$106,730$51.31
25th percentile (early career)$108,820$52.32
50th percentile (median)$126,570$60.85
75th percentile (experienced)$139,730$67.18
90th percentile (top earners)$196,300$94.38

How Rhode Island compares

Rhode Island ranks 25th 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 Rhode Island

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 Rhode Island pay ($126,570) 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 Rhode Island?
The median Veterinarian salary in Rhode Island is $126,570 per year, or about $60.85 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $106,730 at the entry level to $196,300 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Rhode Island pay compare to the national average?
Rhode Island pays Veterinarians about 3% less than the national median of $130,100. Rhode Island ranks 25th out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Rhode Island a good state for Veterinarians?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $126,570 a year. About 430 Veterinarians are employed in Rhode Island. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Rhode Island?
The highest-paying occupations in Rhode Island include Emergency Medicine Physician ($512,730), Family Medicine Physician ($467,160), Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($450,370), 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.