Veterinarians pay in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad

In San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad (CA), the median pay for veterinarians is $76.80 an hour ($159,750 a year). About 1,080 people work in this job there.

$76.80Median hourly pay
$124,530–$199,580Middle half of workers, yearly
1,080People in this job in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad (CA)

That is 23% higher than the U.S. median ($130,100). It is 3% lower than the California median ($163,920).

Pay range for veterinarians in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad (CA)

Earns more thanHourlyYearly
10% of workers$32.47$67,540
25% of workers$59.87$124,530
Half of workers (median)$76.80$159,750
75% of workers$95.95$199,580
90% of workers$132.80$276,230

Veterinarians pay in California metro areas

Metro areaMedian yearly payPeople in this job
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont$208,0801,350
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara$192,160350
Napa$172,60030
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom$165,260830
Santa Cruz-Watsonville$164,820130
Salinas$163,080120
Modesto$162,160120
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario$160,860660
Chico$160,18060
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim$160,0802,740
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad (this page)$159,7501,080
Redding$159,01060
Santa Maria-Santa Barbara$158,840140
Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura$158,810290
Santa Rosa-Petaluma$158,770210
Vallejo$157,71070
Fresno$157,460170
San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles$151,990110
Bakersfield-Delano$150,780100
Stockton-Lodi$144,02090
Visalia$133,37050

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 San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad (CA)

JobMedian yearly pay
Physicians, All Other$323,050
Veterinary Assistants and Laboratory Animal Caretakers$46,720
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians$60,280
Registered Nurses$139,520
Pharmacists$165,130
Physical Therapists$113,850
Dentists, General$158,160
Occupational Therapists$121,680

Other job titles for this job

Animal AnatomistAnimal ChiropractorAnimal DoctorAnimal PathologistAnimal PhysiologistAnimal SurgeonCompanion Animal PractitionerDoctor of Veterinary MedicineDVMEmergency VeterinarianEmergency VetEquine Dentist

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Source: 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.