Washington Median
$160,510
per year
Hourly Rate
$77.17
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+23% vs US median
US median $130,100
State Rank
#3 of 49
2,390 employed here
How much does a Veterinarian make in Washington?
Veterinarians in Washington take home a median of $160,510 annually — roughly $77.17 an hour — which runs 23% above the national median of $130,100.
Within Washington, entry-level pay starts around $97,140 while the top 10% make $265,600 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $124,990 and $197,370 a year.
Veterinarian salary range in Washington
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $97,140 | $46.70 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $124,990 | $60.09 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $160,510 | $77.17 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $197,370 | $94.89 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $265,600 | $127.69 |
|
How Washington compares
Washington ranks 3rd out of 49 states and territories for Veterinarian pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Veterinarian salary in other states
California $163,920Maryland $163,170New 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 Washington
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 Washington pay ($160,510) 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 Washington?
The median Veterinarian salary in Washington is $160,510 per year, or about $77.17 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $97,140 at the entry level to $265,600 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Washington pay compare to the national average?
Washington pays Veterinarians about 23% more than the national median of $130,100. Washington ranks 3rd out of 49 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Washington a good state for Veterinarians?
Yes on pay — Washington pays above the national median for this occupation, at $160,510 a year. About 2,390 Veterinarians are employed in Washington. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Washington?
The highest-paying occupations in Washington include Cardiologist ($656,330), Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($553,310), Dermatologist ($526,170), 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.