Research Veterinarian - Higher Ed. Salary in the United States

How much does a Research Veterinarian - Higher Ed. make in the United States?

As of January 01, 2026, the average salary for a Research Veterinarian - Higher Ed. in the United States is $139,363 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $67.

However, a Research Veterinarian - Higher Ed.'s salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $177,400
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $125,703 to $159,273
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $113,266
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2025 Compensation Trend
Recruit with AI
AI Onboarding
View as table View as graph 25% $125,703 10% $113,266 90% $177,400 75% $159,273 $139,363 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Research Veterinarian - Higher Ed. Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $159,273 $13,273 $3,063 $77
Average $139,363 $11,614 $2,680 $67
25th Percentile $125,703 $10,475 $2,417 $60
Check out Research Veterinarian - Higher Ed. Job Openings in the United States
Veterinarian

Animal Health Care Center of Chillicothe - CHILLICOTHE, OH

Veterinarian

Columbia Animal Hospital - COLUMBIA, PA

Veterinarian

Schwenksville Veterinary Hospital - SCHWENKSVILLE, PA

Veterinarian

Gulf Breeze Animal Hospital - GULF BREEZE, FL

Search More Research Veterinarian - Higher Ed. Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Research Veterinarian - Higher Ed. Salaries

A Research Veterinarian - Higher Ed.'s salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, education and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Research Veterinarian - Higher Ed. Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Research Veterinarian - Higher Ed.'s salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $133,267
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $134,286
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $136,325
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $139,383
  • Expert (over 8 years): $146,812
Levels Salary
Entry Level Research Veterinarian - Higher Ed.$133,267
Intermediate Level Research Veterinarian - Higher Ed.$134,286
Senior Level Research Veterinarian - Higher Ed.$136,325
Specialist Level Research Veterinarian - Higher Ed.$139,383
Expert Level Research Veterinarian - Higher Ed.$146,812
$133,267 0 yr
$134,286 < 2 yrs
$136,325 2-4 yrs
$139,383 5-8 yrs
$146,812 > 8 yrs
View as Table
View as Graph

What Am I Worth?

Top Paying Cities for Research Veterinarian - Higher Ed.s

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $175,773
  • San Francisco: $174,043
  • Oakland: $170,183

What Skills Can Increase a Research Veterinarian - Higher Ed.'s Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Communication Skills (Mentioned in 13.25% Job Postings): Communication skills are your ability to share or understand information, ideas, and feelings successfully.
  • Radiology (Mentioned in 1.2% Job Postings): Recording, analyzing, and measuring brain activities through electroencephalogram tests to detect, diagnose, and treat brain disorders.
  • Animal Welfare (Mentioned in 0.4% Job Postings): A well-being of non-human animals. Formal standards vary between contexts, but are debated mostly by animal welfare groups, legislators and academics.
See More Skills
Skills Demand Percentage
Communication Skills 13.25%
Radiology 1.2%
Animal Welfare 0.4%
What skills can make your compensation higher?
Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Research Veterinarian - Higher Ed.'s salary.
  • Dedication: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
  • Commitment: Can increase your salary by up to 4%.
  • Partnering: Can increase your salary by up to 3%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Dedication
$147,725
6%
Commitment
$144,938
4%
Partnering
$143,544
3%
Collaboration
$143,544
3%
Chemistry
$142,150
2%
Spring
$140,757
1%
Get Latest Data

How Education impacts a Research Veterinarian - Higher Ed.'s Salary?

Your level of education can impact your salary potential. While many Research Veterinarian - Higher Ed.s enter the field with a JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent degree, higher education can lead to more specialized and higher-paying roles.

According to our 100% employer-reported salary data, the median salary for a Research Veterinarian - Higher Ed. with a JD, MD, PhD or Equivalent is between $131,052 and $145,343).

Research Veterinarian - Higher Ed. Salaries by Degree Level

Typical Education for Research Veterinarian - Higher Ed.
Degree Level % of user with this level of education
No Diploma 6.2%
High School 12.7%
Associates 10.5%
Bachelors 16.4%
Masters 15.8%
Doctorate 38.4%
view as graph

Research Veterinarian - Higher Ed. Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Research Veterinarian - Higher Ed.'s annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on January 01, 2026

Salary Trends for Research Veterinarian - Higher Ed.

Salaries for a Research Veterinarian - Higher Ed. can change over time, reflecting shifts in market demand and the overall economy. The median salary decreased from $126,786 in 2023 to around $124,868 in 2025, reflecting changes in demand, location, experience, and the wider economy. For a detailed analysis of Research Veterinarian - Higher Ed. salary trends, .

Average Annual Salary of Research Veterinarian - Higher Ed. Over Time

2022
$???
2023
$126,786
2024
$127,516
2025
$124,868
2026
$???
2027
$???
Year Average Annual Salary
2022
View More
2023 $126,786
2024 $127,516
2025 $124,868
2026
View More
2027
View More

Most common benefits for Research Veterinarian - Higher Ed.

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
For Employers

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.

Compensation Planning

Common company salaries for Research Veterinarian - Higher Ed.

Here are companies hiring for Research Veterinarian - Higher Ed. and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Research Veterinarian - Higher Ed. Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Research Veterinarian - Higher Ed. job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
For Employees

Get a Salary Increase

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Search Job Openings

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

For Employers

Adjust Employee Salary

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Price My Industry Jobs

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

FAQ about Research Veterinarian - Higher Ed.

1. What veterinary specialty is highest paid?

The highest-paid veterinary specialty is typically research veterinarians in higher education. According to salary data, they earn a minimum of $115,513, a mid-range salary of $139,763, and can reach up to $168,193. This reflects the significant expertise and contributions these professionals make in advancing veterinary science.

2. What is the highest paying job in the world?

While CEO positions are often cited as the highest paying jobs, a Research Veterinarian in higher education can also command impressive salaries. The salary range for this role typically spans from $115,513 to $168,193, with a median salary of $139,763. This position involves critical research and care for animal health, contributing significantly to veterinary science.

3. Can a veterinarian make 6 figures?

Yes, a veterinarian can make six figures. For example, a Research Veterinarian in higher education has a salary range with a minimum of $115,513, a mid-level salary of $139,763, and a maximum of $168,193. This demonstrates that many positions in the field offer substantial earning potential.

4. What is the highest paying job in the world?

The highest paying job in the world can vary, but positions like Research Veterinarian in higher education offer competitive salaries. For instance, the salary range for this role is between $115,513 and $168,193, with a median salary of $139,763. This reflects the significant expertise and responsibility required in the field.

5. How to become a veterinary researcher?

To become a research veterinarian, start by earning a bachelor's degree, followed by a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.) degree. Complete a residency program in veterinary research and gain relevant experience. Obtain certification and then apply for positions. Salaries for research veterinarians in higher education range from $115,513 to $168,193, with a median of $139,763.

6. What is the highest paying veterinary tech specialty?

The highest paying veterinary tech specialty is the Research Veterinarian in higher education, with a salary range of approximately $115,513 to $168,193 per year. This role often involves advanced research and specialized care, making it a lucrative option for those in the veterinary field.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst