Veterinarians in the US earn $142,680 on average — but veterinary specialists and practice owners can earn $150,000-$300,000+.
Pay at a Glance (BLS Data)
Bureau of Labor Statistics wage estimates for veterinarians, across all industries:
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $73,920 | $35.54 |
| 25th | $101,460 | $48.78 |
| 50th (median) | $130,100 | $62.55 |
| 75th | $166,120 | $79.87 |
| 90th | $215,700 | $103.70 |
| Average (mean) | $142,680 | $68.60 |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, for Veterinarians (all industries). Hourly figures are annual wages divided by 2,080 hours. “Not published” means BLS withheld the estimate, usually because wages are above its top reporting limit.
Average Veterinarian Salary in 2026
| Metric | Amount |
|---|---|
| Average salary | $142,680 |
| Median salary | $130,100 |
| New graduate | $85,000-$100,000 |
| Experienced (10+ years) | $120,000-$150,000 |
| Specialists | $150,000-$300,000+ |
| Hourly equivalent | $52.85 |
Veterinarian Salary by Specialty
| Specialty | Average Salary | Additional Training |
|---|---|---|
| Veterinary Surgeon | $180,000-$300,000 | 3-4 year residency |
| Veterinary Ophthalmologist | $170,000-$250,000 | 3-4 year residency |
| Veterinary Dermatologist | $160,000-$230,000 | 3-4 year residency |
| Internal Medicine | $150,000-$220,000 | 3 year residency |
| Veterinary Radiologist | $150,000-$200,000 | 3 year residency |
| Emergency/Critical Care | $130,000-$180,000 | 3 year residency |
| Veterinary Oncologist | $150,000-$230,000 | 3 year residency |
| General Practice | $100,000-$140,000 | DVM only |
| Shelter Medicine | $70,000-$100,000 | DVM only |
Veterinarian Salary by State
| Rank | State | Avg Salary | Starting Salary | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arizona | $187,410 | $81,990 | $152,020 |
| 2 | California | $169,860 | $74,850 | $163,920 |
| 3 | New Jersey | $166,170 | $103,720 | $160,140 |
| 4 | Maryland | $163,830 | $104,030 | $163,170 |
| 5 | Washington | $163,010 | $97,140 | $160,510 |
| 6 | District of Columbia | $160,520 | $69,990 | $134,530 |
| 7 | Massachusetts | $157,520 | $96,320 | $140,260 |
| 8 | Pennsylvania | $154,440 | $79,780 | $133,520 |
| 9 | Illinois | $153,810 | $74,840 | $133,580 |
| 10 | New York | $151,530 | $89,130 | $131,830 |
| 11 | Minnesota | $146,230 | $83,280 | $133,110 |
| 12 | Vermont | $145,030 | $91,290 | $131,820 |
| 13 | New Hampshire | $144,960 | $74,780 | $128,190 |
| 14 | Virginia | $143,080 | $63,350 | $126,730 |
| 15 | Nevada | $140,600 | $98,860 | $125,550 |
| 16 | Utah | $139,770 | $75,970 | $123,990 |
| 17 | Florida | $139,760 | $62,430 | $131,660 |
| 18 | Connecticut | $139,290 | $46,960 | $126,190 |
| 19 | New Mexico | $138,880 | $79,450 | $129,390 |
| 20 | Texas | $138,150 | $76,510 | $131,330 |
| 21 | Colorado | $137,190 | $77,710 | $130,840 |
| 22 | Maine | $136,620 | $81,780 | $130,600 |
| 23 | North Carolina | $136,200 | $77,650 | $129,240 |
| 24 | Rhode Island | $133,850 | $106,730 | $126,570 |
| 25 | Oregon | $133,560 | $78,420 | $128,880 |
| 26 | Ohio | $129,890 | $54,050 | $125,060 |
| 27 | Tennessee | $129,660 | $98,500 | $124,350 |
| 28 | Hawaii | $128,820 | $62,460 | $130,120 |
| 29 | Michigan | $128,100 | $75,900 | $125,390 |
| 30 | Georgia | $127,920 | $66,710 | $126,590 |
| 31 | West Virginia | $127,520 | $54,830 | $128,990 |
| 32 | Indiana | $127,060 | $63,630 | $124,530 |
| 33 | South Carolina | $126,280 | $48,140 | $122,130 |
| 34 | Missouri | $125,720 | $61,270 | $114,660 |
| 35 | Louisiana | $125,270 | $64,690 | $124,370 |
| 36 | Oklahoma | $123,820 | $51,710 | $98,090 |
| 37 | Nebraska | $123,810 | $60,630 | $103,500 |
| 38 | Iowa | $122,200 | $72,800 | $124,610 |
| 39 | Alabama | $120,170 | $65,430 | $105,630 |
| 40 | Wisconsin | $118,890 | $79,350 | $108,780 |
| 41 | Idaho | $118,000 | $43,290 | $116,170 |
| 42 | Kansas | $117,620 | $71,200 | $107,080 |
| 43 | Mississippi | $114,370 | $70,050 | $105,370 |
| 44 | Kentucky | $112,730 | $44,200 | $104,100 |
| 45 | Montana | $112,730 | $51,390 | $99,390 |
| 46 | North Dakota | $108,300 | $81,420 | $102,180 |
| 47 | Arkansas | $108,100 | $38,870 | $107,710 |
| 48 | Wyoming | $105,200 | $55,420 | $97,240 |
| 49 | South Dakota | $93,990 | $61,640 | $88,650 |
| — | National | $142,680 | $73,920 | $130,100 |
Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 estimates, fetched 2026-09-29. Figures cover Veterinarians (cross-industry). Some states are omitted where BLS did not publish a reliable estimate.
Veterinarian Salary by Practice Type
| Practice Type | Average Salary | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Specialty/Referral Hospital | $140,000-$250,000 | Board certified |
| Corporate Practice | $110,000-$140,000 | Production bonuses |
| Emergency Clinic | $120,000-$160,000 | Night/weekend shifts |
| Private Practice (employee) | $100,000-$130,000 | Standard |
| Private Practice (owner) | $130,000-$300,000+ | Business risk/reward |
| Academia/Research | $90,000-$150,000 | Teaching focus |
| Government (USDA, FDA) | $85,000-$130,000 | Benefits, stability |
| Shelter/Non-profit | $70,000-$95,000 | Mission-driven |
| Industry (pharma) | $120,000-$200,000 | Corporate roles |
Small Animal vs. Large Animal
| Type | Average Salary | Lifestyle |
|---|---|---|
| Small Animal (companion) | $110,000 | Urban, regular hours |
| Mixed Practice | $100,000 | Rural, varied |
| Large Animal (farm) | $95,000 | Rural, on-call |
| Equine | $85,000-$120,000 | Specialized, travel |
Small animal practice is most common and often pays better with more predictable hours.
Production-Based Pay
Many vet practices use production-based compensation:
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Base salary | $80,000-$100,000 |
| Production percentage | 18-25% of collections |
| Total with production | $100,000-$180,000 |
High producers can significantly exceed base salary through production bonuses.
Cost of Becoming a Veterinarian
| Expense | Amount |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree (4 years) | $40,000-$160,000 |
| DVM program (4 years) | $150,000-$280,000 |
| Residency (specialty, optional) | 3-4 years (low pay) |
| Total education cost | $190,000-$440,000 |
| Average vet school debt | $190,000 |
| Time to DVM | 8 years |
| Time to specialist | 11-12 years |
Vet school debt is a major career consideration.
Veterinarian Salary After Taxes
| Gross Salary | Federal Income Tax | Social Security + Medicare | Take-Home Before State Tax | Monthly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $90,000 | $10,970 | $6,885 | $72,145 | $6,012 |
| $110,000 | $15,370 | $8,415 | $86,215 | $7,185 |
| $140,000 | $22,334 | $10,710 | $106,956 | $8,913 |
| $200,000 | $36,734 | $14,339 | $148,927 | $12,411 |
2026 federal income tax for a single filer taking the standard deduction ($16,100), plus Social Security and Medicare. Not included: state and local income tax, retirement contributions and other pre-tax deductions. For your own situation, use the take-home pay calculator.
Student Loan Reality
With $190,000 average debt:
| Repayment Plan | Monthly Payment | Total Interest | Payoff Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard 10-year | $2,100 | $62,000 | 10 years |
| Extended 25-year | $1,200 | $165,000 | 25 years |
| Income-Driven (PAYE) | $800-$1,200 | Varies | 20 years + forgiveness |
| PSLF (public service) | Income-based | $0 | 10 years |
Job Outlook
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Job growth (2025-2035) | 9% |
| Annual openings | ~5,000 |
| Current employment | ~77,000 |
| Competition | Strong (school admission) |
Pet ownership has increased, driving vet demand.
How to Increase Veterinarian Salary
- Specialize — Board certification adds $50,000-$150,000
- Own a practice — Owners earn 20-100% more
- Work emergency/specialty — Night/weekend premium
- Move to high-paying markets — California, Texas, New York
- Industry/pharma roles — Corporate salaries higher
- Pursue production bonuses — High performers earn more
Veterinarian vs. Human Medicine
| Factor | Veterinarian | Physician |
|---|---|---|
| Education time | 8 years | 11-15 years |
| Average salary | $109,920 | $229,000+ |
| Average debt | $190,000 | $203,000 |
| Debt-to-income ratio | 1.7x | 0.9x |
Physicians have better debt-to-income ratios despite similar debt levels.
Is Veterinary Medicine Worth It?
Pros:
- Work with animals (passion)
- Strong job growth
- Respected profession
- Diverse career paths
- Meaningful work
Cons:
- High debt ($190,000 average)
- Lower pay than human medicine
- Emotional challenges (euthanasia)
- Compassion fatigue/burnout
- Physical demands
Bottom Line
Veterinarians earn $109,920 average, with specialists earning $150,000-$300,000. The career offers meaningful work and strong demand, but high education costs ($190,000 average debt) create challenging economics. Specialization and practice ownership are the best paths to higher income. Those considering vet medicine should carefully weigh debt against earning potential.
Related Salary Guides
- Veterinary Technician salary
- Anesthesiologist salary
- Urologist salary
- Therapist (mental health counselor) salary
See every profession in our salary by profession guides.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. “Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024.” bls.gov/oes
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