Veterinarian salary in California
Veterinarians in California earned a median of $163,920 a year in May 2025, about $78.81 an hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That is 26% above the U.S. median of $130,100. Eight in ten earned between $74,850 (10th percentile) and $286,330 (90th percentile).
Veterinarian pay in California
| Level | A year | An hour |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $74,850 | $35.99 |
| Median | $163,920 | $78.81 |
| 90th percentile | $286,330 | $137.66 |
California ranks 1 of 49 (48 states plus D.C. with a published figure) by median veterinarian pay. BLS counts employed veterinarians; practice owners who are self-employed are not in these figures.
What clinics in California are posting now
Posted pay in California: 8 of these 48 listings, from 1 employer, state a yearly range. Ranges run from $130,000 to $210,000 a year; the middle listing's midpoint is $170,000 a year. These are employers' posted ranges, not survey data.
See the 48 open veterinarian jobs in California.
Other veterinary roles in California
| Role | Median a year | Median an hour | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vet tech | $60,630 | $29.15 | $47,380 |
| Vet assistant | $46,260 | $22.24 | $38,150 |
| Veterinarian | $163,920 | $78.81 | $130,100 |
Training
Veterinarians earn a DVM or VMD from an AVMA-accredited college and pass the NAVLE before state licensure. See veterinary schools and California residents.
FAQ
How much does a veterinarian make in California?
The median was $163,920 a year in May 2025 (BLS), 26% above the U.S. median of $130,100.
How much does a veterinarian make an hour in California?
About $78.81 an hour at the median, from the BLS yearly figure of $163,920 divided by 2,080 hours.
How does California rank for veterinarian pay?
California ranks 1 of 49 (48 states plus D.C. with a published figure) by BLS median pay. The highest medians were California ($163,920), Maryland ($163,170), Washington ($160,510).
Figures are BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) estimates for May 2025, the latest release, for wage and salary workers (the self-employed are not included). The median is the middle wage: half earned more, half earned less. Hourly figures are the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours, the way BLS converts between the two. Retrieved from the BLS Public Data API on November 5, 2026.
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2025, veterinarians
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: OEWS state estimates (Public Data API)
Get veterinary jobs in your state by email
We are adding vet tech, assistant and veterinarian jobs state by state. Leave your email and state, and we will write when jobs in your state go up or your state's rules change. One email a week at most.