Veterinarians pay in California
In California, the median pay for veterinarians is $78.81 an hour ($163,920 a year). About 9,170 people work in this job there.
That is 26% higher than the U.S. median ($130,100). California ranks 1st of 49 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for veterinarians in California
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $35.98 | $74,850 |
| 25% of workers | $60.32 | $125,460 |
| Half of workers (median) | $78.81 | $163,920 |
| 75% of workers | $101.85 | $211,840 |
| 90% of workers | $137.66 | $286,330 |
Veterinarians pay in California metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $208,080 | 1,350 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $192,160 | 350 |
| Napa | $172,600 | 30 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $165,260 | 830 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville | $164,820 | 130 |
| Salinas | $163,080 | 120 |
| Modesto | $162,160 | 120 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $160,860 | 660 |
| Chico | $160,180 | 60 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $160,080 | 2,740 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $159,750 | 1,080 |
| Redding | $159,010 | 60 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara | $158,840 | 140 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $158,810 | 290 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma | $158,770 | 210 |
| Vallejo | $157,710 | 70 |
| Fresno | $157,460 | 170 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles | $151,990 | 110 |
| Bakersfield-Delano | $150,780 | 100 |
| Stockton-Lodi | $144,020 | 90 |
| Visalia | $133,370 | 50 |
California unemployment rate: 5.1% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Education, experience and outlook for veterinarians
- Typical education to start: Doctoral or professional degree (BLS)
- Related work experience most have: 1 to 2 years (O*NET)
- Job outlook: +9.4% over ten years, much faster than average · about 3,100 openings a year (BLS)
Related jobs in California
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Physicians, All Other | $281,590 |
| Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers | $46,260 |
| Veterinary Technologists and Technicians | $60,630 |
| Pediatricians, General | $214,140 |
| General Internal Medicine Physicians | $313,890 |
| Physicians, Pathologists | $186,300 |
| Ophthalmologists, Except Pediatric | $400,150 |
| Registered Nurses | $140,270 |
Other job titles for this job
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.