How Much Do Veterinarians Make?

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that veterinarians make a median annual income of $100,370 or $48 per hour. The lowest 10% of veterinarians earned less than $60,760 and the highest 10% earned more than $165,600.

Do Veterinarians Get Paid Well?

Veterinarians are paid well—they earn more than the average worker in the United States. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average salary for veterinarians is $100,370 per year. This is 140% more than the average salary for all occupations, which is $45,760.

How Much Do Veterinarians Make Starting Out?

The BLS does not provide average compensation data for entry-level positions for veterinarians just starting out, but the bottom 25% of veterinarians earn $78,920 each year according to the BLS.

How Many Veterinarians Are There In The United States?

In 2021, there were 86,800 veterinarians in the United States. The BLS predicts the number of veterinarians will increase by 17%, approximately 14,500 jobs, by 2030.

Where Can Veterinarians Earn The Most?

Veterinarians' salaries depend on location and work setting. According to the BLS, veterinarians earn the most in the following industries: other professional, scientific, and technical services, federal executive branch and social advocacy organizations. The metropolitan areas with the highest pay for veterinarians are:

1. San Francisco-Oakland-Hayward, CA - $144,440
2. San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA - $141,670
3. Bridgeport-Stamford-Norwalk, CT - $140,390

How Much Do Veterinarians Earn In Each State?

The table below compares veterinarian salaries across states and U.S. territories (Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wages May 2020). You can also find data for the number of veterinarians in each state as well as the number of veterinarians per 1,000 jobs—a figure that can help you determine the job's popularity in a given location. Not all locations have employment statistics.