If you’re a lover of animals, pursuing a career as a veterinarian could be a smart move. The median pay for veterinarians as of 2017 is $90,420, according to the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. On top of that, the future for veterinarians looks good, as the BLS projects employment to grow 19%, which is far above the average.
Of course, not all places pay veterinarians the same salary. So, if you want to earn the most money while indulging your love of animals, read on for a full breakdown of where veterinarian’s incomes are the lowest, and where their incomes are the highest.
10 States Where Veterinarians Earn the Most Money
Here’s a list of the top-10 states in order of average incomes for veterinarians:
Rank | State | 2017 Mean Annual Wage |
1 | Hawaii | $198,340 |
2 | New Jersey | $124,870 |
3 | New York | $122,500 |
4 | Nevada | $121,150 |
5 | California | $120,300 |
6 | Rhode Island | $118,650 |
7 | Connecticut | $114,110 |
8 | Virginia | $111,570 |
9 | Alaska | $110,270 |
10 | Texas | $109,920 |
10 States Where Veterinarians Earn the Least Money
The states that pay veterinarians the least are a mix of states in the U.S. South and Mountain division, such as Montana and Utah.
Rank | State | 2017 Mean Annual Wage |
1 | Arkansas | $69,130 |
2 | Nebraska | $73,400 |
3 | Montana | $75,680 |
4 | Mississippi | $76,100 |
5 | Utah | $79,000 |
6 | Oklahoma | $81,310 |
7 | Louisiana | $83,130 |
8 | Iowa | $84,240 |
9 | Kansas | $84,560 |
10 | Wyoming | $85,180 |
How Much Veterinarians Earn in All 50 States
Here’s a look at average veterinarian salaries by state.
State | 2017 Mean Annual Wage |
Alabama | $87,740 |
Alaska | $110,270 |
Arizona | $101,870 |
Arkansas | $69,130 |
California | $120,300 |
Colorado | $86,220 |
Connecticut | $114,110 |
Delaware | $106,810 |
Florida | $100,140 |
Georgia | $88,050 |
Hawaii | $198,340 |
Idaho | $87,900 |
Illinois | $96,440 |
Indiana | $89,070 |
Iowa | $84,240 |
Kansas | $84,560 |
Kentucky | $92,010 |
Louisiana | $83,130 |
Maine | $96,870 |
Maryland | $106,500 |
Massachusetts | $108,300 |
Michigan | $90,270 |
Minnesota | $91,980 |
Mississippi | $76,100 |
Missouri | $96,250 |
Montana | $75,680 |
Nebraska | $73,400 |
Nevada | $121,150 |
New Hampshire | $104,400 |
New Jersey | $124,870 |
New Mexico | $105,040 |
New York | $122,500 |
North Carolina | $104,590 |
North Dakota | $96,090 |
Ohio | $98,990 |
Oklahoma | $81,310 |
Oregon | $90,470 |
Pennsylvania | $106,420 |
Rhode Island | $118,650 |
South Carolina | $105,830 |
South Dakota | $86,300 |
Tennessee | $88,130 |
Texas | $109,920 |
Utah | $79,000 |
Vermont | $104,160 |
Virginia | $111,570 |
Washington | $92,950 |
West Virginia | $92,820 |
Wisconsin | $88,990 |
Wyoming | $85,180 |
Up Next: Here’s How Much Lawyers Make in Every State
$112,500/yr
Based on 733 income tax records
How much do Veterinarians make?
The average total salary for a Veterinarian is $112,500 per year. This is based on data from 733 TurboTax users who reported their occupation as Veterinarian and includes taxable wages, tips, bonuses, and more. Veterinarian salary can vary between $29,500 to $261,500 depending on factors including education, skills, experience, employer & location. Read more
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DATA PROVIDED BY
Based on income reported to the IRS in box 1 of W-2.
From consenting TurboTax customers
Veterinarian salary by location
Veterinarian salary by company
ADP, California
15 income tax records
Pathway Vet Alliance, California
29 income tax records
Kindred At Home, California
169 income tax records
Ethoscalifornia, California
18 income tax records
University Of California, California
45 income tax records
Veterinarian demographics in California
Effective Tax Rates for Veterinarians in California
733 full-time salaries from 2019
FAQS
The average salary for a veterinarian in California is $112,500 per year. Veterinarian salaries in California can vary between $29,500 to $261,500 and depend on various factors, including skills, experience, employer, bonuses, tips, and more.
This data is exclusive to Mint Salary and is based on 733 tax returns from TurboTax customers who reported their occupation as veterinarian.
The following companies offer the highest salaries for veterinarians in California: ADP ($140,500 a year), Pathway Vet Alliance ($124,500 a year), and Kindred at Home ($123,500 a year).
The following cities offer the highest salaries for veterinarians in California: Los Angeles, CA ($134,000 a year), San Jose, CA ($128,500 a year), and San Francisco, CA ($119,500 a year).
*
Total salary amounts here include total taxable wages, tips, prizes and other compensation. Salaries here are not representative of the total population and may reflect different levels of experience or education. Learn more
**
Total salary ranges shown here exclude outliers.