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Veterinarian Salary

Veterinarian Salary By Percentile
Percentile 10% 25% 50% 75% 90%
Hourly Wage $24.77 $32.23 $40.61 $52.23 $69.28
Annual Wage $51,500 $67,000 $84,500 $108,600 $144,100

Veterinarians are medically trained to take care of the health of animals. They provide preventive medical care for family pets or livestock, diagnose illnesses and diseases, and treat any medical problems that are discovered. Veterinarians must obtain a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree and obtain a state license in order to practice animal medicine. A breakdown of the full process of becoming a Veterinarian can be found here.

Veterinarian Salary

How much do veterinarians make? According to figures from the U.S. Department of Labor, the lowest 10 percent of veterinarians earn under $52,530 per year, whereas the top 10 percent earn over $144,100 per year. The median annual earnings figure, which is defined as that amount where half the veterinarians earned less than this figure and half earned more, is $84,460.

Variables Impacting Salary

There are many variables impacting salary earnings for veterinarians. Here are a few considerations for someone interested in becoming a veterinarian to keep in mind.

  • Full v. Part Time Employment

A veterinarian who chooses to work part-time as opposed to full time will necessarily earn less income annually. Veterinarians generally work at least 40 hours per week, although many veterinarians work after hours and on weekends. Experienced veterinarians earn more than someone entering the field.

  • Specialties

Although it is reasonable to assume that pursuing additional education would lead to higher earnings, veterinarians who obtain specialized education in order to do animal research may actually earn much less than veterinarians who work with family companion animals or livestock. Veterinarians working in general practice tend to earn the higher salaries.

  • Geographic Area of Practice

Veterinarians working in New Jersey and Connecticut earn the highest average salaries, with the lowest annual salaries earned by veterinarians in practice in states such as Colorado and Montana. Veterinarians working in rural locations usually earn less than veterinarians working in metropolitan areas.

Employment Opportunities

Many veterinarians operate their own practice or in partnership with other veterinarians, although an entry-level veterinarian would seek employment in an established veterinary practice. Some veterinarians are employed by the federal government, where they inspect animals intended for human consumption. They may also be involved with implementing vaccination programs in order to prevent the spread of disease. A small number of veterinarians work in research and development.

Job Outlook

The job outlook for veterinarians is good, as job opportunities are expected to increase by 12 percent between 2012 and 2022.

Salary Data

Top Paying Industries

Industry Employment % of industry employment Hourly mean wage Annual mean salary
Scientific Research and Development Services 310 0.05 $64.54 $134,230
Employment Services 70 <.005 $61.18 $127,250
Wholesale Electronic Markets and Agents and Brokers $57.30 $119,180
Other Personal Services 250 0.09 $49.24 $102,410
Management of Companies and Enterprises 30 <.005 $48.59 $101,060

Salary By State

State 10% 25% Median 75% 90% Jobs (2010) Jobs (2020) Outlook
Alabama $42,200 $58,000 $76,000 $92,900 $114,500 1,180 1,470 +25%
Alaska $65,700 $72,500 $87,700 $105,500 $128,900 120 130 +16%
Arizona $45,600 $68,100 $82,700 $92,800 $107,200
Arkansas $39,000 $61,500 $76,500 $98,700 $118,100 480 510 +8%
California $56,300 $74,800 $96,300 $123,500 $176,800 5,800 6,800 +17%
Colorado $40,400 $62,000 $73,500 $91,100 $137,100 1,680 2,000 +19%
Connecticut $70,300 $91,700 $109,800 $145,100 $187,000 760 1,010 +34%
Delaware $67,400 $79,600 $103,200 $126,100 $175,000 200 250 +26%
District of Columbia $55,000 $81,400 $104,500 $130,500 $150,500 100 130 +24%
Florida $55,900 $70,900 $89,100 $117,300 $149,300 3,360 4,170 +24%
Georgia $40,400 $62,400 $76,600 $96,400 $114,000 410 450 +9%
Hawaii $53,100 $68,800 $92,900 $123,200 $175,300 140 170 +24%
Idaho $33,700 $50,400 $73,600 $90,300 $128,000 480 630 +31%
Illinois $45,700 $60,800 $76,500 $96,000 $131,100 2,370 2,880 +22%
Iowa $49,800 $60,900 $73,400 $91,700 $115,800 1,500 1,880 +25%
Kansas $49,200 $59,900 $74,200 $86,400 $94,600 780 1,050 +34%
Kentucky $52,500 $63,600 $78,400 $99,300 $164,200 830 1,100 +33%
Louisiana $49,400 $61,600 $77,500 $91,900 $115,500 630 870 +38%
Maine $53,300 $66,400 $77,100 $94,300 $129,300 400 490 +21%
Maryland $64,500 $80,200 $100,900 $128,600 $167,000 1,210 1,550 +28%
Massachusetts $62,400 $77,500 $98,800 $128,100 $159,600 1,320 1,820 +38%
Michigan $53,900 $66,100 $78,100 $95,000 $117,300 1,970 2,550 +29%
Minnesota $61,500 $68,800 $79,600 $90,600 $106,400 1,440 2,130 +48%
Mississippi $33,200 $49,000 $68,800 $90,600 $114,900 500 560 +12%
Missouri $52,500 $63,500 $78,800 $91,300 $112,500 1,100 1,330 +22%
Montana $28,200 $43,900 $60,000 $72,900 $87,600 330 450 +35%
Nebraska $49,000 $59,100 $75,300 $89,900 $105,000 790 970 +23%
Nevada $50,700 $69,000 $85,200 $126,700 $147,100 390 490 +26%
New Hampshire $55,200 $70,400 $87,300 $118,800 $147,300 330 380 +15%
New Jersey $42,100 $81,000 $99,500 $120,700 $187,200+ 1,400 1,680 +20%
New Mexico $57,400 $69,000 $82,500 $92,200 $104,300 360 440 +24%
New York $64,500 $79,000 $95,700 $134,000 $176,400 3,320 4,180 +26%
North Carolina $47,000 $64,500 $83,900 $115,600 $146,100 1,920 2,430 +27%
North Dakota $52,900 $60,000 $73,500 $95,300 $112,000 130 170 +30%
Ohio $53,000 $67,800 $88,500 $111,100 $136,900 2,370 3,060 +29%
Oklahoma $22,600 $45,200 $69,100 $85,700 $115,400 980 1,320 +35%
Oregon $42,800 $65,200 $80,600 $93,600 $137,500 980 1,190 0%
Pennsylvania $63,500 $76,700 $91,300 $116,300 $159,100 2,350 2,930 +25%
Rhode Island $65,600 $74,000 $93,800 $110,900 $122,400 360 430 +20%
South Carolina $36,100 $64,700 $91,700 $114,900 $143,000 1,040 1,410 +36%
South Dakota $48,000 $53,600 $65,800 $82,000 $94,900 370 400 +8%
Tennessee $50,600 $61,600 $74,600 $94,000 $117,600
Texas $55,000 $72,200 $90,200 $112,900 $152,000 3,830 4,830 +26%
Utah $55,700 $64,900 $76,300 $91,400 $118,700 470 620 +31%
Vermont $53,400 $63,000 $76,900 $92,700 $115,400 250 310 +24%
Virginia $61,600 $71,200 $87,600 $113,400 $153,400 2,170 2,990 +38%
Washington $48,800 $62,500 $79,600 $94,800 $116,400 1,510 1,890 +25%
West Virginia $48,200 $65,500 $80,000 $99,200 $116,700 280 380 +33%
Wisconsin $53,400 $65,300 $77,800 $99,400 $147,600 1,710 2,130 +25%
Wyoming $48,200 $57,100 $68,900 $82,600 $96,600 180 220 +18%

 

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