Veterinarian Salary in California
Latest data from BLS OEWS May 2024
Median salary
$158,950
per year · $80.91/hr
Typical range
$79,710–$239,200+
10th–90th percentile
vs. US average
+16%
US avg $137,120
Real market pay — from recent job postings
Median advertised pay
$152,273 /yr
Typical range
$136,000–$180,000
vs. BLS median
-4%
Based on 273 recent veterinarian job postings in California that disclosed pay, lower than the BLS median of $158,950. Hourly rates annualized at 2,080 hrs/yr.
Employer-advertised compensation, triangulated from multiple job sources and refreshed continuously.
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Salary percentiles in California
10th
$79,710
25th
$122,650
Median
$158,950
75th
$207,240
90th
$239,200+
Annual wage estimates, BLS OEWS May 2024. “+” denotes wages at or above the BLS reporting cap ($239,200).
Employment & demand
8,510
Veterinarians employed in California
#1/48
State rank by median pay
0.90
Location quotient (job concentration vs. US)
1,215 open veterinarian jobs in California
See who's hiring right now — with stated pay where employers disclose it.
3,243 veterinary practices in California
Browse every practice — ownership, services, and who’s hiring.
Frequently asked
How much does a veterinarian make in California?
The median veterinarian salary in California is $158,950 per year (BLS OEWS May 2024). Most earn between $79,710 and $239,200 or more annually.
What is the hourly wage for a veterinarian in California?
The mean hourly wage for veterinarians in California is $80.91 per hour.
Where does California rank for veterinarian pay?
California ranks #1 of 48 states by median veterinarian salary, with about 8,510 veterinarians employed.
What are veterinarians actually paid in California right now?
Recent job postings in California that disclose pay advertise a median of $152,273 per year for veterinarians (typical range $136,000–$180,000), based on 273 postings — lower than the BLS median of $158,950.