# What is the average veterinary salary?

Olivia Watson · August 4, 2026

> The average veterinary salary in the United States was $103,260 per year as of 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The top 25% of...

The average veterinary salary in the United States was $103,260 per year as of 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

The top 25% of veterinarians earned an average salary of $132,980 in 2022, while the bottom 25% earned $82,580.

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Employment of veterinarians is projected to grow 20% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations.

The metropolitan areas with the highest veterinary salaries in 2022 were Urban Honolulu, Madison, San Jose, San Francisco, and Appleton.

The top-paying states and districts for veterinarians in 2022 were Hawaii, Wisconsin, Connecticut, New Jersey, and the District of Columbia.

The average hourly wage for veterinarians in the United States was $62.07 in 2022.

In California, the annual mean wage for veterinarians was $134,190, or about $64.52 per hour, in 2022.

Veterinarians working in the federal government earned the highest average salary of $124,310 in 2022.

Veterinarians specializing in equine or large animal medicine tend to earn higher salaries than those focused on small animal practice.

The average starting salary for new veterinary school graduates was around $80,000 in 2022.

Factors like years of experience, specialty certifications, and practice ownership can significantly impact a veterinarian's earning potential.

The cost of veterinary education, with average student loan debt around $200,000, can influence the salary expectations of new graduates.

Veterinarians in urban and suburban areas generally earn higher salaries than those practicing in rural communities.

The rise of specialty and emergency veterinary services has created higher-paying positions for veterinarians with advanced training.

Salaries for veterinarians tend to be higher in the western and northeastern United States compared to other regions.

Veterinarians working in research and development or for pharmaceutical companies can earn significantly more than those in clinical practice.

The increasing demand for veterinary services, driven by pet ownership trends, has contributed to the steady growth in veterinary salaries.

Veterinary technicians and assistants, who play vital roles in veterinary practices, earn a median annual salary of around $35,000.

Factors like practice size, revenue, and the types of services offered can all impact the average compensation for veterinarians.

Continued advancements in veterinary medicine and the growing recognition of the importance of animal health are expected to drive further increases in veterinary salaries in the coming years.

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