Veterinarian Salary by State (2024)
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 47 states compared · Updated: 2026-03-31
Veterinarian Salary in All 50 States
Compare Veterinarian pay across the country. Click any state for the full salary breakdown including percentiles, employment numbers, and related jobs.
| State | Median Salary | Mean Salary | Entry Level | Top Earners | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $158,950 | $168,280 | $79,710 | N/A | 8,510 |
| Washington | $155,060 | $154,770 | $99,060 | $215,660 | 1,940 |
| New Jersey | $148,550 | $158,100 | $82,300 | N/A | 1,750 |
| West Virginia | $134,290 | $135,660 | $80,560 | $202,790 | 390 |
| Vermont | $134,240 | $155,130 | $84,970 | $208,050 | 340 |
| Arizona | $132,810 | $190,600 | $75,090 | $221,170 | 1,430 |
| Massachusetts | $131,500 | $161,170 | $103,710 | N/A | 1,820 |
| New York | $131,330 | $149,360 | $80,010 | N/A | 3,200 |
| Florida | $131,170 | $142,040 | $58,460 | $213,190 | 5,480 |
| Connecticut | $130,700 | $142,320 | $62,990 | $224,770 | 890 |
| Pennsylvania | $129,510 | $140,390 | $71,160 | $212,320 | 3,220 |
| New Hampshire | $128,890 | $143,510 | $69,530 | N/A | 630 |
| Illinois | $128,290 | $157,950 | $64,760 | N/A | 2,950 |
| Rhode Island | $126,860 | $139,830 | $88,150 | N/A | 310 |
| South Carolina | $126,720 | $127,710 | $56,760 | $207,050 | 1,330 |
| New Mexico | $126,710 | $131,560 | $77,140 | $174,720 | 350 |
| Tennessee | $125,420 | $129,370 | $83,730 | $169,400 | 1,590 |
| Virginia | $124,110 | $133,020 | $55,870 | $195,620 | 2,560 |
| Maine | $124,070 | $136,960 | $80,630 | $207,990 | 540 |
| North Carolina | $123,430 | $129,440 | $75,610 | $200,420 | 2,950 |
| Ohio | $123,140 | $130,370 | $58,830 | $205,540 | 2,880 |
| Colorado | $122,980 | $123,010 | $71,440 | $192,450 | 2,380 |
| Utah | $121,850 | $140,180 | $62,150 | $219,820 | 620 |
| Nevada | $121,720 | $134,010 | $54,630 | $205,340 | 700 |
| Texas | $121,220 | $130,770 | $73,180 | $209,720 | 5,940 |
| Louisiana | $120,630 | $144,490 | $75,490 | N/A | 890 |
| Missouri | $119,640 | $128,310 | $62,400 | $190,800 | 2,020 |
| Indiana | $119,230 | $123,960 | $62,380 | $174,990 | 1,560 |
| Minnesota | $117,340 | $121,270 | $78,690 | $173,400 | 2,060 |
| Georgia | $115,220 | $124,960 | $70,280 | $203,370 | 2,430 |
| Michigan | $112,320 | $121,640 | $78,330 | $168,760 | 2,320 |
| Idaho | $106,080 | $117,810 | $80,800 | $166,600 | 500 |
| Wisconsin | $104,440 | $118,030 | $76,340 | $162,600 | 1,760 |
| Oregon | $102,910 | $121,000 | $77,130 | $164,690 | 1,640 |
| Hawaii | $102,730 | $120,300 | $50,170 | $189,390 | 360 |
| Kansas | $102,510 | $110,250 | $63,760 | $160,570 | 940 |
| Mississippi | $101,300 | $108,120 | $62,210 | $158,330 | 520 |
| Iowa | $100,910 | $109,110 | $58,560 | $161,090 | 1,180 |
| Arkansas | $100,820 | $105,850 | $59,300 | $150,840 | 600 |
| North Dakota | $99,490 | $107,060 | $82,340 | $138,440 | 300 |
| Kentucky | $98,210 | $107,690 | $50,700 | $178,520 | 1,250 |
| Alabama | $98,060 | $112,070 | $59,570 | $160,460 | 1,150 |
| Oklahoma | $96,360 | $122,640 | $55,150 | $208,000 | 980 |
| Wyoming | $95,400 | $104,850 | $56,460 | $149,800 | 180 |
| South Dakota | $89,970 | $97,090 | $60,560 | $138,840 | 240 |
| Nebraska | $83,710 | $87,250 | $37,410 | $128,650 | 750 |
| Montana | $82,340 | $94,250 | $46,150 | $154,200 | 510 |
Data from BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024. Sorted by median salary (highest to lowest). Entry Level = 10th percentile, Top Earners = 90th percentile.
Veterinarian Salary FAQs
Which state pays Veterinarians the most?
California pays the highest median salary for Veterinarians at $158,950 per year, according to 2024 BLS data. The top 5 highest paying states are: California ($158,950), Washington ($155,060), New Jersey ($148,550), West Virginia ($134,290), Vermont ($134,240).
What is the average Veterinarian salary nationally?
The average median Veterinarian salary across all 47 states is $117,726 per year. The salary ranges from $82,340 in Montana to $158,950 in California — a difference of $76,610.
Which state pays Veterinarians the least?
Montana has the lowest median Veterinarian salary at $82,340 per year. However, cost of living in Montana may be lower, so purchasing power could be comparable.