As of March 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a Research Veterinarian in the United States is $140,366. Salary.com reports that pay typically ranges from $116,002 to $168,923, with most professionals earning between $93,821 and $194,922.
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $168,923 | $14,077 | $3,249 | $81 |
| Average | $140,366 | $11,697 | $2,699 | $67 |
| 25th Percentile | $116,002 | $9,667 | $2,231 | $56 |
An entry-level Research Veterinarian with less than 1 year of experience earns about $128,029. With 1-2 years of experience, the average salary increases to $129,827. For 2-4 years of experience, the pay typically rises to $133,422. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn around $138,816, and those with over 8 years of experience can expect an average of $149,350.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Research Veterinarian | $128,029 |
| Intermediate Level Research Veterinarian | $129,827 |
| Senior Level Research Veterinarian | $133,422 |
| Specialist Level Research Veterinarian | $138,816 |
| Expert Level Research Veterinarian | $149,350 |
| Entry Level | 9% |
| Mid Level | 8% |
| Senior Level | 5% |
| Top Level | 1% |
| Experienced | 6% |
Salaries in the United States differ widely between states due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
What Am I Worth?
Salaries in the United States can vary greatly between cities due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
As of March 01, 2025, our research reveals a significant shift in Research Veterinarian compensation over the past six years. For example, the median salary increased from $126,786 in 2023 to approximately $127,516 in 2024. (For a detailed analysis of Research Veterinarian salary trends, click here.)
Key factors like location, experience, industry demand, and economic growth significantly influence salary variations, making them important to consider.
Salary.com job board provides millions of Research Veterinarian information for you to search for. Click on search button below to see Research Veterinarian job openings or enter a new job title here.
Here are companies hiring for Research Veterinarian and their salaries, click below for more details.
| Core Compensation | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Base Salary | $140,366 | 73.9% | ||
| Bonus | $0 | 0.0% | ||
| Value of Benefits | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Social Security | $10,738 | 5.7% | ||
| 401K/403B | $6,597 | 3.5% | ||
| Disability | $1,123 | 0.6% | ||
| Healthcare | $6,056 | 3.2% | ||
| Pension | $7,720 | 4.1% | ||
| Time Off | $17,276 | 9.1% | ||
| Total Compensation | $189,876 | 100% | ||
| 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% |
What Am I Worth?
The average annual salary of Research Veterinarian is $140,366. In case you are finding an easy salary calculator, the average hourly pay of Research Veterinarian is $67; the average weekly pay of Research Veterinarian is $2,699; the average monthly pay of Research Veterinarian is $11,697.
A Research Veterinarian's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Research Veterinarian earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Research Veterinarian is $176,159.
The highest pay for Research Veterinarian is $194,922.
The lowest pay for Research Veterinarian is $93,821.
Research Veterinarian provides medical services in support of the health of animals that are part of medical research and studies. Prescribes medications, establishes and administers treatment plans, and performs surgeries on animals. Being a Research Veterinarian provides oversight of animal care and laboratory protocols to ensure compliance with veterinary standards and statutory requirements. Requires an applicable state license to practice. Additionally, Research Veterinarian requires a PhD in veterinary medicine. Typically reports to a manager or head of a unit/department. Research Veterinarian's years of experience requirement may be unspecified. Certification and/or licensing in the position's specialty is the main requirement.
Specify the abilities and skills that a person needs in order to carry out the specified job duties. Each competency has five to ten behavioral assertions that can be observed, each with a corresponding performance level (from one to five) that is required for a particular job.
Communication Skills: Communication skills are your ability to share or understand information, ideas, and feelings successfully.
Anesthesia: Administering and controlling sedations and narcotics to help patients relieve pain during various surgeries and treatments.
Laboratory Testing: Performing medical procedures and testing of blood and urine samples or body substances to determine appropriate diagnosis and treatments.
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.
