As of July 01, 2026, the average salary for a Veterinarian in California is $130,147 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $63.
However, a Veterinarian's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Veterinarian Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $137,201 | $11,433 | $2,638 | $66 |
| Average | $130,147 | $10,846 | $2,503 | $63 |
| 25th Percentile | $116,906 | $9,742 | $2,248 | $56 |
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A Veterinarian'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, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of a Veterinarian'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:
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Veterinarian | $124,218 |
| Intermediate Level Veterinarian | $125,207 |
| Senior Level Veterinarian | $126,788 |
| Specialist Level Veterinarian | $128,764 |
| Expert Level Veterinarian | $131,200 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Veterinarians. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
Veterinarian salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $142,777. While startup companies pay approximate $120,971.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $120,971 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $127,880 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $137,938 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $142,777 |
For Veterinarian roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 120% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Pharmaceuticals and Healthcare sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 60% above the average. In contrast, Veterinarian positions in Retail & Wholesale or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Veterinarian as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pharmaceuticals | $208,236 | $100.0 | 60% |
| Healthcare | $182,206 | $88.0 | 40% |
| MFG Durable | $156,177 | $75.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a Veterinarian'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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $137,201 | $11,433 | $2,638 | $66 |
| Average | $130,147 | $10,846 | $2,503 | $63 |
| 25th Percentile | $116,906 | $9,742 | $2,248 | $56 |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Veterinarian job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
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