Veterinarians made a median salary of $99,250 in 2020. The best-paid 25 percent made $126,260 that year, while the lowest-paid 25 percent made $79,430. Show
Salary OutlookWhat Is the Outlook for Veterinarians?The BLS projects 16,800 new jobs will open in the field by 2031. Veterinarian jobs are set to grow by 19%. What is the best career fit for me? Take our assessment now.Finding your dream job starts with knowing what makes you the way you are. Simple Statements that relate to you. Unique Be yourself, answer honestly. Quick Getting matched takes only four minutes. Get Matched! Find a JobBest-Paying Cities for VeterinariansThe metropolitan areas that pay the highest salary in the veterinarian profession are Houston, Bridgeport, Akron, Ogden, and Modesto. Houston, Texas $169,220 Bridgeport, Connecticut $150,370 Akron, Ohio $150,330 Ogden, Utah $150,310 Modesto, California $149,460 The 5 Best-Paying Cities for VeterinariansView All 5 Slides Best-Paying States for VeterinariansThe states and districts that pay Veterinarians the highest mean salary are New Jersey ($128,430), Maryland ($128,120), District of Columbia ($127,310), Rhode Island ($126,630), and Oregon ($122,840). 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. Was this helpful? How much money do veterinarians earn? Veterinary medicine is an economically stable profession with a salary that tends to increase steadily with each year of practice. In addition to years of experience, other factors influencing a veterinarian’s salary include the type of practice, geographic location, and whether the vet is a partner or an associate. Compensation OverviewThe Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reports that vets earn a median salary of $93,830. The best-paid veterinarians earn $162,450, while the lowest-paid earn $56,540. Veterinarians surveyed by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) reported 67% of veterinarians’ incomes were between $60,000 and $150,000. Starting Salaries for VeterinariansMost veterinarians specialize in an animal category, and earnings depend on the type of veterinary practice in which you’re working. The American Veterinary Medical Association found some variations in starting salary based on the area of specialization. Companion animals include domestic pets, such as dogs, cats, and other small animals like rabbits, gerbils, and hamsters. Companion animal veterinarian clinic practices employ the most veterinarians. According to the 2019 AVMA Economic State of the Veterinary Profession, small animal vets start at a mean salary of $87,000 a year. The starting salary for large animal exclusive vets is about $75,000. These veterinarians are also known as food animal vets (those treating farm animals like cows and pigs), zoological, or exotic animal vets. Some vets serve more than one animal category (generalize), and these are known as mixed animal vets. Mixed practice vets start with an average salary of $75,000. Equine vets (those treating horses) start at the lowest salary, just above $50,000 a year. These are both the lowest paid and least common vets in the United States. Many equine vets work as mixed animal vets. Veterinarian Salary by Experience LevelThe average salary of a veterinarian steadily increases as they gain more experience. An internship after veterinary school may be required to gain additional experience if the vet wants to specialize. Most veterinary post-graduate internships are paid, though it’s often at a lower rate than an entry-level job.
Salary by Type of PracticeVeterinarians work in a variety of industries in addition to private veterinary practices. With law enforcement and military branches using more animals to assist with security and locating contraband materials, local and national governments now require veterinarians. Some veterinarians conduct scientific research, and others hold faculty or staff positions in veterinary schools. Commercial and Consulting: Commercial vets make the most money, with a mean annual salary of $160,000. These practices are for-profit practices specializing in one of the veterinary types listed above. The next highest-paid vet is the consultant, averaging around $150,000 a year. These vets may practice on animals while also providing industry guidance to other practices. Research and Education: Veterinary professors earn an average salary of $120,000 a year. As in all medical fields, discoveries further enable more sustainable treatment of diseases and disorders. The same is true in the field of animal care. Vet researchers earn a mean salary of about $110,000 a year. Private Practice (Companion, Mixed, Food, & Equine): Private practices generally specialize, as noted above, by type of veterinarian. Companion animal practice vets generally earn the most, at an average of $110,000 a year. Mixed animal vets are generalists and earn an average annual income of $100,000 a year. Food animal practice vets (usually treating farm animals) average about $100,000 annually, as well. The lowest-earning vet practices are equine (horses), with their vets paid a mean annual salary of $90,000. Government & Military: Veterinarians working within the federal government or the armed forces also generate a mean income of about $100,000 a year. These vets often work with dogs, such as therapy or security dogs. State and local governments need vets for their law enforcement dogs and other animals critical to government work. Also, local government-funded animal control facilities need vets to assist with diseased animals. These vets do about as well financially as federal and military vets, with an estimated annual income of $100,000. Non-profit Practices: Non-profit rescue organizations also employ vets, who earn a mean salary of about $90,000 a year. Salary by LocationGeography also plays a role in determining the amount that a vet can expect to earn. Vets in major metropolitan areas tend to make more money but must also take into account the higher cost of living. According to Zippia, the top 10 best-paying states for veterinarian salaries are Delaware, Arizona, Texas, Vermont, New Jersey, Alaska, Ohio, New Hampshire, California, and New York. Job Outlook for VeterinariansThe BLS projects 15,600 new jobs will open in the field by the year 2028. Veterinarian jobs are set to grow by about 18%, compared with 16% in growth for other health diagnosing and treating practitioners occupations. Estimate Your Earnings PotentialBecoming a qualified veterinarian requires a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree. To help aspiring vets plan for the future, the AVMA developed a compensation calculator. It is simple to use and can forecast income after graduation. For example, if a student plans to graduate in 2020 at 23 years of age, work in a private practice that services companion animals in Ohio, and carry $50,000 in college debt, then the calculator forecasts that graduate’s salary to be between $75,000 and $84,000 a year. How much money do vets make in California?How much does a Veterinarian make in California? The average Veterinarian salary in California is $114,968 as of November 23, 2022, but the range typically falls between $90,299 and $145,891.
What is the highest paid vet?High Paying Veterinary Jobs. Veterinary Medical Officer. Salary range: $33,500-$216,500 per year. ... . Veterinary Radiologist. Salary range: $52,000-$195,000 per year. ... . Emergency Veterinarian. ... . Small Animal Veterinarian. ... . Veterinarian. ... . Veterinary Practitioner. ... . Associate Veterinarian. ... . Veterinary Manager.. How much do vets make in California an hour?Veterinarian in California Salaries. Is a vet a good career?Most vets say the career is rewarding, but also challenging and demanding. To be a vet, you must have a passion for and a clinical interest in animals, great interpersonal skills and a strong work ethic.
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