The average salary for a veterinarian in the United States is $136,300, but the range typically falls between $94,860 and $155,230. This corresponds to an average hourly wage of $65.53, with a range between $45.61 and $74.63.
There are approximately 78,220 people employed as a veterinarian in the United States. With California, Texas, Florida employing the highest number of veterinarians.The state with the best pay for a veterinarian is Arizona, with an average annual salary of $153,480, while Nebraska has the lowest average annual salary of $95,040.
| Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $72,360 | $34.79 |
| 25th Percentile | $94,860 | $45.61 |
| Median | $119,100 | $57.26 |
| 75th Percentile | $155,230 | $74.63 |
| 90th Percentile | $201,440 | $96.85 |
The salary of a veterinarian can vary depending on the state. Below is a map of the United States showing the average annual salary for a veterinarian in each state. The darker the color, the higher the salary. The best states for veterinarians are Arizona, New Jersey, California, Rhode Island, Washington while the worst states are Nebraska, Montana, Oklahoma, Kentucky, Kansas.
| State | Low-end | Average | High-end |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $65,050 | $111,030 | $147,210 |
| Arizona | $96,430 | $153,480 | $222,300 |
| Arkansas | $59,690 | $112,550 | $158,780 |
| California | $80,110 | $158,610 | >$239,200 |
| Colorado | $61,550 | $110,510 | $153,240 |
| Connecticut | $75,720 | $139,230 | $215,770 |
| Delaware | $78,080 | $123,420 | $178,570 |
| District of Columbia | $47,600 | $156,570 | $219,410 |
| Florida | $74,300 | $143,950 | $198,810 |
| Georgia | $70,800 | $120,220 | $180,790 |
| Hawaii | $87,950 | $157,770 | $186,120 |
| Idaho | $67,950 | $122,590 | $198,960 |
| Illinois | $49,900 | $118,040 | $169,670 |
| Indiana | $72,810 | $124,120 | $178,430 |
| Iowa | $53,460 | $106,040 | $151,980 |
| Kansas | $75,390 | $103,730 | $161,570 |
| Kentucky | $50,640 | $104,380 | $161,520 |
| Louisiana | $79,810 | $115,450 | $162,770 |
| Maine | $83,560 | $137,380 | $209,820 |
| Massachusetts | $89,470 | $162,030 | $228,470 |
| Michigan | $78,650 | $115,710 | $155,760 |
| Minnesota | $80,490 | $110,120 | $154,150 |
| Mississippi | $59,750 | $102,660 | $156,460 |
| Missouri | $58,160 | $104,380 | $178,010 |
| Montana | $56,480 | $94,070 | $137,890 |
| Nebraska | $36,030 | $95,040 | $124,070 |
| Nevada | $49,670 | $104,830 | $169,080 |
| New Hampshire | $74,780 | $138,450 | $212,850 |
| New Jersey | $78,860 | $153,630 | $236,210 |
| New Mexico | $72,640 | $121,430 | $192,020 |
| New York | $82,060 | $151,100 | >$239,200 |
| North Carolina | $67,270 | $126,700 | $198,690 |
| North Dakota | $78,320 | $107,460 | $134,350 |
| Ohio | $54,340 | $115,250 | $195,140 |
| Oklahoma | $50,430 | $118,110 | $207,310 |
| Oregon | $63,720 | $115,080 | $168,740 |
| Pennsylvania | $66,260 | $123,000 | $172,510 |
| Rhode Island | $85,540 | $148,920 | $215,900 |
| South Carolina | $65,430 | $127,400 | $182,970 |
| South Dakota | $59,570 | $101,670 | $143,650 |
| Tennessee | $82,830 | $125,920 | $174,780 |
| Texas | $79,110 | $129,830 | $191,460 |
| Utah | $71,230 | $128,940 | $210,280 |
| Virginia | $60,940 | $118,940 | $170,330 |
| Washington | $94,120 | $140,510 | $210,040 |
| West Virginia | $78,900 | $128,570 | $170,840 |
| Wisconsin | $63,870 | $150,910 | $156,420 |
| Wyoming | $65,010 | $100,800 | $150,010 |
Even between cities, the salary of a veterinarian can vary. For example, the areas with the highest average salary for veterinarians is San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara area, CA with an average salary of $183,860.The city with the lowest average salary for veterinarians is Manhattan, KS with an average salary of $71,800.
Areas with highest average salaries for veterinarians
Areas with lowest average salaries for veterinarians
The number of veterinarians in the United States has been increasing over the years. Since 2020, the number of veterinarians has increased by 4,510. On average, the number of veterinarians has been increasing by 1.5% each year. The salary of veterinarians has been increasing. Since 2020, the salary of veterinarians has increased by $27,950. On average, the salary of veterinarians has been increasing by 6.4% each year.
Veterinarians are part of the healthcare practitioners and technical occupations group. Below is a comparison of the average annual salary for veterinarians compared to other jobs in the same occupation group. View all healthcare practitioners and technical occupations jobs here.
$131,850 per year
$270,560 per year
$75,250 per year
$205,860 per year
$89,020 per year
$312,120 per year
