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Small Animal Surgeon Salary in the United States

How much does a Small Animal Surgeon make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Small Animal Surgeon in the United States is $114,441 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $55.

However, a Small Animal Surgeon's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $128,399
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $101,657 to $121,747
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $90,018
Salary Factors Salary-Boosting Skills Salary by Experience Related Job Salaries Top Paying Cities Explore Related Jobs

Key Factors That Influence Small Animal Surgeon Salaries

A Small Animal Surgeon'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.

How Experience Level Affects Small Animal Surgeon Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Small Animal Surgeon'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): $111,777
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $112,665
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $114,086
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $115,861
  • Expert (over 8 years): $118,052
Levels Salary
Entry Level Small Animal Surgeon$111,777
Intermediate Level Small Animal Surgeon$112,665
Senior Level Small Animal Surgeon$114,086
Specialist Level Small Animal Surgeon$115,861
Expert Level Small Animal Surgeon$118,052
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How Do Small Animal Surgeon Salaries Vary from State to State?

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 Small Animal Surgeons. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
  • District of Columbia: $126,709.
  • California: $126,228.
  • Massachusetts: $124,546.

Top Paying Cities for Small Animal Surgeons

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: $144,344
  • San Francisco: $142,764
  • Oakland: $139,755

What Skills Can Increase a Small Animal Surgeon's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 6.6% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Internal Medicine (Mentioned in 3.38% Job Postings): Diagnose and provide non-surgical treatment of diseases and injuries of internal organ systems. Provide care mainly for adults who have a wide range of problems associated with the internal organs.
  • Animal Care (Mentioned in 2.32% Job Postings): Providing animals' physical and mental needs to protect their welfare by treating them all with care.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 6.6%
Internal Medicine 3.38%
Animal Care 2.32%
See More Skills

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 Small Animal Surgeon's salary.

  • Written Communication: Can increase your salary by up to 10%.
  • Business Acumen: Can increase your salary by up to 8%.
  • Client Communications: Can increase your salary by up to 6%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Written Communication $125,885
10%
Business Acumen $123,596
8%
Client Communications $121,307
6%
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Small Animal Surgeon Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Small Animal Surgeon 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, Small Animal Surgeon positions in Retail & Wholesale or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Small Animal Surgeon as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industries for a Small Animal Surgeon

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Pharmaceuticals$183,106$88.060%
Healthcare$160,217$77.040%
MFG Durable$137,329$66.020%

Small Animal Surgeon Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Small Animal Surgeon'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 October 01, 2026
$101,657
Average $114,441/year
$121,747
$8,471
Average $9,537/month
$10,146
$1,955
Average $2,201/week
$2,341
$49
Average $55/hour
$59
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $121,747 $10,146 $2,341 $59
Average $114,441 $9,537 $2,201 $55
25th Percentile $101,657 $8,471 $1,955 $49

Most common benefits for Small Animal Surgeon

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

Common company salaries for Small Animal Surgeon

Here are companies hiring for Small Animal Surgeon and their salaries, click below for more details.

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FAQ about Small Animal Surgeon

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Small Animal Surgeon?

The Pharmaceuticals industry offers the highest average compensation for Small Animal Surgeon roles, with salaries approximately 60% above the market median.

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.

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