According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual wage for veterinarians was $125,510 in May 2024. BLS data also states that the employment of veterinarians is projected to grow 19% from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations – with about 4,300 openings for veterinarians projected each year, on average, over the decade.

Veterinarians in the US are the highest paid in their profession anywhere in the world, however, the cost of veterinary education for American students is escalating. And it is because of the high cost of studying to become a veterinarian, and the increased cost of living, many veterinarians hope to maximize their earnings by moving to a state with a higher rate of pay.

But, what can professionals expect from their veterinarian salary by state? Let’s find out.

Which US States have the highest salary for veterinarians?

What state pays vets the best? According to the U.S. News & World Report, the states and districts that pay Veterinarians the highest mean salary are Massachusetts ($162,030), California ($158,610), Hawaii ($157,770), District of Columbia ($156,570), and New Jersey ($153,630).

U.S. News also found that the metropolitan areas that pay the highest salary in the veterinarian profession are San Jose, Santa Rosa, Barnstable Town, San Francisco, and Urban Honolulu.

• San Jose, California: $183,860
• Santa Rosa, California: $176,960
• Barnstable Town, Massachusetts: $173,190
• San Francisco, California: $172,830
• Urban Honolulu, Hawaii: $168,650

A few different factors contribute towards higher veterinarian salaries:

Cost of living

States with higher veterinary salaries often have a high cost of living, meaning veterinarians need higher salaries to live comfortably. A veterinary salary in Illinois, for example, would go a lot further than California or Hawaii due to the comparative costs of housing, taxes and general expenses in each state.

Demand for specialized services

States that boast more urban areas have a greater demand for specialized veterinary services, in turn, offering higher pay.

Proximity to known Veterinary Schools

States with renowned veterinary institutions, like the University of California, Davis, California and Cornell University, New York tend to offer higher salaries due to the concentration of educated veterinary professionals, and a greater number of advanced practices.

Which US States have the lowest salary for veterinarians?

According to BLS, data from May 2023, the US states with the lowest salary for veterinarians are:

• Montana – $94,070
• Nebraska – $95,040
• Wyoming – $100,800
• South Dakota – $101,670
• Mississippi – $102,660

Rural economies

These lower income states tend to have a higher concentration of rural areas, where veterinarians may deal with large animals and livestock rather than companion animals, which can affect the veterinarian salary by state.

Population Density and Service Demand

With a lower population density, veterinary clinics often receive less frequent visits and have a smaller client base per practice. These factors often translate to lower overall revenue for veterinary practices, impacting the salaries offered.

Economic constraints

States with lower salaries across all sectors usually align with states with lower veterinary salaries due to geographic economic constraints. Pet owners may be less willing and able to spend money on pet care, impacting the revenues of veterinary practices and the salaries of veterinary professionals.

Veterinarian salary by state

Veterinarians’ salaries vary depending on the state veterinarians find themselves working in. So, what state pays vets the most? According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, these are the annual mean vet salaries by state from May 2023:

• Alabama – $111,030
• Alaska – not available
• Arizona – $153,480
• Arkansas – $112,550
• California – $158,610
• Colorado – $110,510
• Connecticut – $139,230
• Delaware – $123,420
• District of Columbia – $156,570
• Florida – $143,950
• Georgia – $120,220
• Hawaii – $157,770
• Idaho – $122,590
• Illinois – $118,040
• Indiana – $124,120
• Iowa – $106,040
• Kansas – $103,730
• Kentucky – $104,380
• Louisiana – $115,450
• Maine – $137,380
• Maryland – not available
• Massachusetts – $162,030
• Michigan – $115,710
• Minnesota – $110,120
• Mississippi – $102,660
• Missouri – $104,380
• Montana – $94,070
• Nebraska – $95,040
• Nevada – $104,830
• New Hampshire – $138,450
• New Jersey – $153,630
• New Mexico – $121,430
• New York – $151,100
• North Carolina – $126,700
• North Dakota – $107,460
• Ohio – $115,250
• Oklahoma – $118,110
• Oregon – $115,080
• Pennsylvania – $123,000
• Rhode Island – $148,920
• South Carolina – $127,400
• South Dakota – $101,670
• Tennessee – $125,920
• Texas – $129,830
• Utah – $128,940
• Vermont – not available
• Virginia – $118,940
• Washington – $140,510
• West Virginia – $128,570
• Wisconsin – $150,910
• Wyoming – $100,800

Veterinarian salary by specialty: What do veterinary specialists make?

Veterinary professionals hoping to maximize their earnings, certain specializations and roles stand out for their higher earning potential: The average salary per year for the following specializations are as follows:

• Veterinary Anesthesiologists: $345,000 per year
• Veterinary Ophthalmologists: $237,750 per year
• Board-Certified Veterinary Surgeons: $219,000 per year
• Veterinary Pathologists: $216,250 per year
• Public Health Veterinarian: $171,750 per year
• Veterinary Radiologist: $154,250 per year
• Veterinary Internal Medicine Specialists: $154,250 per year
• Emergency Veterinarian: $132,250 per year
• Corporate Veterinarians: $125,000 per year
• Veterinary Medical Doctor: $170,000 per year

Key takeaways

• Median salary: As of May 2024, the median annual wage for veterinarians in the U.S. is $125,510, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
• Top-paying states: States with the highest average salaries include Massachusetts ($162,030), California ($158,610), and Hawaii ($157,770).
• Top cities: Cities like San Jose, CA ($183,860) and Santa Rosa, CA ($176,960) offer the highest metropolitan veterinarian salaries.
• Factors influencing pay: Higher salaries are typically found in states with a high cost of living, urban centers, and renowned veterinary schools.
• Lowest-paying states: States like Montana ($94,070) and Nebraska ($95,040) offer lower salaries, often due to rural economies, lower population density, and economic constraints.
• Job outlook: Veterinary employment is expected to grow 19% from 2023 to 2033, much faster than average, with about 4,300 job openings annually.
• Veterinary specialties: Specialists such as Veterinary Anesthesiologists ($345,000) and Ophthalmologists ($237,750) command significantly higher salaries.
• Geographic Impact: Where a veterinarian works significantly impacts earnings, making location and specialty key factors in salary potential.

Veterinarian salaries by state vary widely based on location, specialization, and demand. While the national median sits at $125,510, those in high-cost, urban states or with advanced specialties can earn significantly more.

As the profession experiences strong projected growth, veterinarians have ample opportunity to maximize their earnings – especially by choosing the right state, city, or career path.

FAQs

What is the average veterinarian salary in the U.S.?

As of May 2024, the median annual wage for veterinarians was $125,510, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)

What is the job outlook for veterinarians?

Employment of veterinarians is projected to grow 19% from 2023 to 2033, much faster than the average for all occupations

What state pays vets the best?

California

How much do veterinary specialists make?

Salaries vary by specialty. For instance, veterinary anesthesiologists can earn around $345,000 annually, while veterinary ophthalmologists average $237,750 per year.

What factors contribute to higher veterinarian salaries?

Geographic location, specialization, years of experience, and the type of practice (e.g., private clinic vs. public sector)

What is the average hourly wage for veterinarians?

Based on the BLS data, the mean hourly wage for veterinarians is approximately $65.53.