Veterinarian Salary
Veterinarians diagnose, treat, and prevent diseases and injuries in animals. They perform surgeries, prescribe medications, and advise pet owners on animal health and care.
Veterinarian Salary by Experience Level
Entry-level veterinarians earn around $68,000 per year, while mid-career professionals earn $105,000. Senior-level veterinarians can earn $155,000 or more.
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Professionals earning $103,260+ often qualify for premium rewards cards with $500+ signup bonuses and 2–5% cashback on every purchase.
View Offers You Qualify For →Salary Percentile Breakdown
The salary range for veterinarians varies significantly. The bottom 10% earn $65,200, while the top 10% earn $174,200.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $65,200 |
| 25th Percentile | $80,400 |
| 50th Percentile (Median) | $103,260 |
| 75th Percentile | $134,400 |
| 90th Percentile | $174,200 |
Veterinarian Salary by State
Veterinarian salaries vary significantly by state due to cost of living, demand, and industry concentration. The highest paying state is Hawaii at $183,803, while Mississippi offers the lowest at $83,641.
| State | Median | |
|---|---|---|
| #1 Hawaii | $183,803 | Details → |
| #2 California | $150,760 | Details → |
| #3 Massachusetts | $147,662 | Details → |
| #4 Alaska | $133,205 | Details → |
| #5 New York | $131,140 | Details → |
| #6 New Jersey | $123,912 | Details → |
| #7 Washington | $122,879 | Details → |
| #8 Connecticut | $119,782 | Details → |
| #9 Maryland | $117,716 | Details → |
| #10 Oregon | $115,651 | Details → |
| #11 New Hampshire | $111,521 | Details → |
| #12 Rhode Island | $111,521 | Details → |
| #13 Colorado | $110,488 | Details → |
| #14 Virginia | $109,456 | Details → |
| #15 Delaware | $106,358 | Details → |
| #16 Vermont | $106,358 | Details → |
| #17 Minnesota | $104,293 | Details → |
| #18 Florida | $103,260 | Details → |
| #19 Maine | $103,260 | Details → |
| #20 Nevada | $102,227 | Details → |
| #21 Pennsylvania | $102,227 | Details → |
| #22 Arizona | $100,162 | Details → |
| #23 Illinois | $100,162 | Details → |
| #24 Utah | $100,162 | Details → |
| #25 Texas | $97,064 | Details → |
| #26 Wisconsin | $97,064 | Details → |
| #27 Georgia | $96,032 | Details → |
| #28 Montana | $96,032 | Details → |
| #29 Idaho | $94,999 | Details → |
| #30 North Carolina | $94,999 | Details → |
| #31 Ohio | $94,999 | Details → |
| #32 Louisiana | $93,967 | Details → |
| #33 New Mexico | $93,967 | Details → |
| #34 Tennessee | $93,967 | Details → |
| #35 Indiana | $92,934 | Details → |
| #36 Michigan | $92,934 | Details → |
| #37 Nebraska | $92,934 | Details → |
| #38 North Dakota | $92,934 | Details → |
| #39 Wyoming | $92,934 | Details → |
| #40 Iowa | $91,901 | Details → |
| #41 South Carolina | $91,901 | Details → |
| #42 Missouri | $90,869 | Details → |
| #43 South Dakota | $90,869 | Details → |
| #44 Alabama | $89,836 | Details → |
| #45 Kansas | $89,836 | Details → |
| #46 Kentucky | $89,836 | Details → |
| #47 Oklahoma | $86,738 | Details → |
| #48 Arkansas | $84,673 | Details → |
| #49 West Virginia | $84,673 | Details → |
| #50 Mississippi | $83,641 | Details → |
Negotiate Your Way to Senior Pay
Data shows Veterinarians who negotiate earn 7–15% more. A single negotiation could add $51,740 over your career trajectory.
Get Negotiation Scripts — $197 →Key Responsibilities
- ● Examine animals and diagnose health conditions
- ● Perform surgical procedures and dental cleanings
- ● Prescribe medications and treatment plans
- ● Vaccinate animals and advise on preventive care
- ● Euthanize animals when necessary and counsel owners
Top Skills
Education Required
Doctoral degree
Job Outlook
Much faster than average — projected 19% growth over the next decade
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