Veterinarian Salary Overview
The Veterinarian is a sought-after profession in the United States with a median annual salary of $119,240. Compensation typically ranges from $70,200 for entry-level positions to $178,600 for experienced professionals in high-demand markets.Salary Range: The typical Veterinarian in the US earns between $70,200 and $178,600 per year, with a median of $119,240.
Veterinarian Salary by Experience
Entry-level veterinarians earn around $77,506, while those with 10+ years of experience can earn $160,974 or more.
| Level | Salary | Hourly | Take-Home |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | $75,121 | $36/hr | $58,110 |
| Mid | $119,240 | $57/hr | $85,027 |
| Senior | $149,050 | $72/hr | $102,629 |
| Lead | $174,090 | $84/hr | $117,416 |
Veterinarian Salary by State (After Tax)
Gross salary, federal tax, state tax, and estimated take-home pay for a Veterinarian in each US state.
Pay for veterinarians varies significantly by state, with coastal and high-cost-of-living areas generally offering higher salaries to offset expenses.
| State | Gross | Federal | State Tax | FICA | Take-Home | Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $119,240 | $17,865 | $5,797 | $9,122 | $86,457 | 27.5% |
| Alaska | $119,240 | $17,865 | $0 | $9,122 | $92,254 | 22.6% |
| Arizona | $119,240 | $17,865 | $2,616 | $9,122 | $89,638 | 24.8% |
| Arkansas | $119,240 | $17,865 | $5,020 | $9,122 | $87,233 | 26.8% |
| California | $119,240 | $17,865 | $7,227 | $9,122 | $85,027 | 28.7% |
| Colorado | $119,240 | $17,865 | $4,587 | $9,122 | $87,667 | 26.5% |
| Connecticut | $119,240 | $17,865 | $5,904 | $9,122 | $86,349 | 27.6% |
| Delaware | $119,240 | $17,865 | $6,639 | $9,122 | $85,615 | 28.2% |
| District of Columbia | $119,240 | $17,865 | $7,294 | $9,122 | $84,959 | 28.7% |
| Florida | $119,240 | $17,865 | $0 | $9,122 | $92,254 | 22.6% |
| Georgia | $119,240 | $17,865 | $5,887 | $9,122 | $86,366 | 27.6% |
| Hawaii | $119,240 | $17,865 | $8,909 | $9,122 | $83,344 | 30.1% |
| Idaho | $119,240 | $17,865 | $6,069 | $9,122 | $86,184 | 27.7% |
| Illinois | $119,240 | $17,865 | $5,765 | $9,122 | $86,489 | 27.5% |
| Indiana | $119,240 | $17,865 | $3,637 | $9,122 | $88,617 | 25.7% |
| Iowa | $119,240 | $17,865 | $4,531 | $9,122 | $87,722 | 26.4% |
| Kansas | $119,240 | $17,865 | $6,140 | $9,122 | $86,114 | 27.8% |
| Kentucky | $119,240 | $17,865 | $4,643 | $9,122 | $87,610 | 26.5% |
| Louisiana | $119,240 | $17,865 | $4,486 | $9,122 | $87,767 | 26.4% |
| Maine | $119,240 | $17,865 | $6,988 | $9,122 | $85,266 | 28.5% |
| Maryland | $119,240 | $17,865 | $5,532 | $9,122 | $86,722 | 27.3% |
| Massachusetts | $119,240 | $17,865 | $5,742 | $9,122 | $86,512 | 27.4% |
| Michigan | $119,240 | $17,865 | $4,830 | $9,122 | $87,424 | 26.7% |
| Minnesota | $119,240 | $17,865 | $6,664 | $9,122 | $85,590 | 28.2% |
| Mississippi | $119,240 | $17,865 | $5,026 | $9,122 | $87,227 | 26.8% |
| Missouri | $119,240 | $17,865 | $4,853 | $9,122 | $87,401 | 26.7% |
| Montana | $119,240 | $17,865 | $5,928 | $9,122 | $86,326 | 27.6% |
| Nebraska | $119,240 | $17,865 | $5,443 | $9,122 | $86,811 | 27.2% |
| Nevada | $119,240 | $17,865 | $0 | $9,122 | $92,254 | 22.6% |
| New Hampshire | $119,240 | $17,865 | $0 | $9,122 | $92,254 | 22.6% |
| New Jersey | $119,240 | $17,865 | $5,469 | $9,122 | $86,784 | 27.2% |
| New Mexico | $119,240 | $17,865 | $4,848 | $9,122 | $87,406 | 26.7% |
| New York | $119,240 | $17,865 | $6,416 | $9,122 | $85,837 | 28.0% |
| North Carolina | $119,240 | $17,865 | $4,792 | $9,122 | $87,461 | 26.7% |
| North Dakota | $119,240 | $17,865 | $2,040 | $9,122 | $90,213 | 24.3% |
| Ohio | $119,240 | $17,865 | $2,703 | $9,122 | $89,550 | 24.9% |
| Oklahoma | $119,240 | $17,865 | $5,174 | $9,122 | $87,080 | 27.0% |
| Oregon | $119,240 | $17,865 | $9,908 | $9,122 | $82,345 | 30.9% |
| Pennsylvania | $119,240 | $17,865 | $3,661 | $9,122 | $88,593 | 25.7% |
| Rhode Island | $119,240 | $17,865 | $4,428 | $9,122 | $87,825 | 26.3% |
| South Carolina | $119,240 | $17,865 | $6,004 | $9,122 | $86,250 | 27.7% |
| South Dakota | $119,240 | $17,865 | $0 | $9,122 | $92,254 | 22.6% |
| Tennessee | $119,240 | $17,865 | $0 | $9,122 | $92,254 | 22.6% |
| Texas | $119,240 | $17,865 | $0 | $9,122 | $92,254 | 22.6% |
| Utah | $119,240 | $17,865 | $5,545 | $9,122 | $86,709 | 27.3% |
| Vermont | $119,240 | $17,865 | $5,950 | $9,122 | $86,303 | 27.6% |
| Virginia | $119,240 | $17,865 | $6,340 | $9,122 | $85,913 | 27.9% |
| Washington | $119,240 | $17,865 | $0 | $9,122 | $92,254 | 22.6% |
| West Virginia | $119,240 | $17,865 | $5,217 | $9,122 | $87,037 | 27.0% |
| Wisconsin | $119,240 | $17,865 | $5,232 | $9,122 | $87,022 | 27.0% |
| Wyoming | $119,240 | $17,865 | $0 | $9,122 | $92,254 | 22.6% |
Top Cities for Veterinarian Pay
The highest-paying metro areas for veterinarians tend to be major metropolitan centers with strong industry demand and higher costs of living.
| City | Avg Salary |
|---|---|
| San Francisco, CA | $131,164 |
| New York, NY | $131,164 |
| Hartford, CT | $131,164 |
| Honolulu, HI | $131,164 |
| San Jose, CA | $131,164 |
Calculate Veterinarian Take-Home Pay
Adjust the state and filing status to see your estimated after-tax income.
Estimated Take-Home Pay
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Gross Annual
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Total Tax
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Tax Breakdown
Federal Income Tax
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State Tax
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Medicare
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Tax Distribution
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Pay Frequency Breakdown
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How to Become a Veterinarian
Becoming a veterinarian typically requires relevant education, training, or certification in the field. Many employers also value practical experience, professional development, and industry-specific credentials.Veterinarian Career Outlook
Employment of veterinarians is projected to grow steadily over the next decade, driven by continued demand across industries. Professionals who stay current with evolving requirements and build specialized expertise will find the strongest job prospects.Veterinarian Salary FAQ
The median annual salary for veterinarians in the US is $119,240, with a typical range from $70,200 to $178,600 depending on experience and location.
The highest-paying states for veterinarians include CA, NY, NJ. These states typically have strong demand and higher costs of living.
Entry-level veterinarians can expect to earn around $77,506 per year, with salary increasing as they gain experience and expertise.
Being a veterinarian can be a rewarding career with solid compensation and growth potential. Job outlook is generally positive across most regions.
The median hourly rate for veterinarians is approximately $57.33, though this varies based on experience, location, and employer.