Veterinarians earn a median annual salary of approximately $119,100, or about $57.26 per hour, according to 2024 BLS data for SOC 29-1131.
This positions veterinary medicine among the higher-paying healthcare professions that do not require a medical degree for humans.
Pay varies meaningfully by practice type — companion animal, large animal, equine, mixed practice, or specialty — as well as by geographic location and years of experience.
The vet tech salary represents the allied clinical role in the same setting, while the doctor salary provides context for how physician earnings compare to veterinary medicine.
The field is projected to grow 19% from 2022 to 2032, much faster than the average for all occupations, driven by increased pet ownership, expanded pet insurance adoption, and growing demand for food safety inspection and public health veterinarians.
The BLS estimates approximately 4,800 openings per year on average over the projection decade.
Veterinarians in specialty and emergency practices, academia, or government roles may see compensation that differs substantially from the national median.
Veterinarian Salary Overview (2026)
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, veterinarians (SOC 29-1131) earned a median annual wage of approximately $119,100 as of 2024 BLS data. The median hourly rate was approximately $57.26.
The median wage represents the midpoint of all reported salaries — half of veterinarians earn more, half earn less.
The mean (average) wage may be higher due to the influence of high-earning specialists in cardiology, oncology, surgery, and emergency medicine.
The table below provides estimated wage percentiles based on 2024 BLS data:
| Percentile | Annual Wage | Hourly Wage |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | ~$62,000 | ~$29.81 |
| 25th | ~$85,000 | ~$40.87 |
| 50th (Median) | ~$119,100 | ~$57.26 |
| 75th | ~$162,000 | ~$77.88 |
| 90th | ~$210,000+ | ~$100.96+ |
To see exactly how wages like $57 an hour translate to annual, monthly, and after-tax take-home, our guide on $57 an hour is how much a year breaks down every pay period. For other rates in the range above, browse our hourly wage conversion guide index.
Veterinarian Pay by Experience Level
Like most healthcare professions, veterinarian compensation tends to increase with experience. New graduates often begin as associates at general practices, while more experienced veterinarians may move into ownership, specialty boards, or academic roles with higher earning potential.
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual Salary Range |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (0–3 years) | $70,000 – $95,000 |
| Mid-Level (4–9 years) | $95,000 – $140,000 |
| Senior/Specialist (10+ years) | $140,000 – $250,000+ |
These estimates are based on 2024 BLS data and industry surveys. Practice ownership and board certification may push compensation above these ranges.
Specialty and Credential Differences
Veterinarians who complete residency training and earn board certification from the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)-recognized specialty colleges — such as in internal medicine, surgery, neurology, dermatology, or oncology — typically earn substantially more than general practitioners.
Board-certified veterinary specialists may earn $200,000–$350,000 or more, depending on the specialty and practice location.
Academic and research veterinarians may also earn additional income through grants and consulting.
Veterinarian Salary by State and Region
Geographic location is a meaningful driver of veterinarian pay.
According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, states such as New Jersey, Connecticut, and California tend to report higher median wages for veterinarians.
The cost of living in California and the cost of living in New York are among the highest nationally, which partially offsets nominal wage advantages in those markets., while rural states in the South and Midwest may report lower median wages — though cost of living is also lower in many of those areas.
Large metropolitan areas often pay more in nominal terms, but veterinarians in rural or underserved areas may benefit from student loan repayment programs offered by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP), which can substantially improve the total compensation picture.
Mixed-practice and large-animal veterinarians — who are more common in agricultural regions — may face a different demand and supply dynamic than companion animal practitioners in urban markets.
Factors That Affect Veterinarian Pay
Several factors may influence how much a veterinarian earns, from practice type and specialty to geographic market and employer structure.
Practice Type
Companion animal (small animal) general practice is the most common setting for veterinarians, while equine, large animal, and exotic animal practice often involve different compensation structures.
For financial planning comparison, the nutritionist salary and the dietitian salary represent other health-science doctoral credentials with very different compensation outcomes.
Emergency and specialty hospitals typically pay more than general practices, reflecting the added complexity of cases and extended hours required.
Employer Type
Veterinarians employed by private practices, corporate veterinary groups (such as VCA or Banfield), federal government agencies (USDA, FDA), the military, or academic institutions may see different compensation and benefit structures.
Corporate groups have expanded significantly and may offer competitive base salaries with production bonuses.
Specialization and Board Certification
Board-certified specialists command a premium over general practitioners. Specialties in surgery, oncology, internal medicine, and emergency/critical care are among those associated with higher compensation, based on 2024 industry data.
Practice Ownership
Veterinarians who own their practice may earn significantly more than employed associates, though ownership also involves business risk, overhead management, and capital investment. Practice sale to corporate consolidators has also become a meaningful wealth event for some owner-veterinarians.
Veterinarian Career Outlook
The veterinarian career outlook is among the strongest in the healthcare sector.
According to the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, veterinarian employment is projected to grow 19% from 2022 to 2032 — well above the national average.
The BLS estimates approximately 4,800 job openings per year on average, accounting for both new positions and replacements for those who retire or leave the field.
Growth drivers include rising pet ownership rates, broader adoption of pet health insurance (which enables more owners to afford veterinary care), and ongoing demand for food safety inspectors, public health veterinarians, and research scientists.
Veterinarians should understand how much to contribute to your 401(k) given high student loan obligations, explore a Roth IRA during lower-income residency years, and review retirement savings targets appropriate to the profession's income trajectory.
Building a high-yield savings account for practice startup capital is a common financial milestone for owner-veterinarians.
Shortages of veterinarians in rural and mixed-practice settings, as well as in specialty and emergency medicine, are expected to persist through the late 2020s and into the 2030s according to industry analyses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the median salary for a veterinarian?
According to 2024 BLS data, veterinarians (SOC 29-1131) earned a median annual salary of approximately $119,100, or about $57.26 per hour. Earnings vary by specialization, practice type, and location.
Do veterinary specialists earn more than general practitioners?
Yes, typically.
Board-certified veterinary specialists in fields such as surgery, oncology, or internal medicine may earn $200,000–$350,000 or more per year, compared to the median of approximately $119,100 for all veterinarians.
Specialty certification requires additional years of residency training beyond veterinary school.
How does practice ownership affect veterinarian income?
Owner-veterinarians may earn more than employed associates, but they also bear the financial risks and operational responsibilities of running a business.
Understanding salary negotiation when transitioning from associate to partnership arrangements can significantly affect long-term compensation outcomes.
Net income from practice ownership depends on factors such as caseload, staffing costs, equipment investment, and local market conditions.
Are there loan repayment programs for veterinarians?
Yes.
The USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture administers the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP), which may provide up to $25,000 per year in student loan repayment for veterinarians who commit to practice in a veterinarian shortage area.
This program is targeted at large animal and food supply veterinarians.
What is the job growth outlook for veterinarians?
The BLS projects 19% employment growth for veterinarians from 2022 to 2032, with approximately 4,800 openings per year. This growth rate is much faster than the national average, driven by increased pet ownership, expanded pet insurance use, and ongoing demand in food safety and public health roles.
Sources & References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: Veterinarians (SOC 29-1131). May 2024. — https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes291131.htm
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Occupational Outlook Handbook: Veterinarians. 2024–2025 Edition. — https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/veterinarians.htm
- O*NET OnLine. Veterinarians (29-1131.00). National Center for O*NET Development. — https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/29-1131.00
Last updated: April 27, 2026