Veterinarians: Entry-Level vs Senior Salary (2024)

How does Veterinarians salary grow from entry-level to senior? National salary progression based on 46 states with BLS data.

160% career growth potential

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 • National averages across 46 states • Updated 2026-04-06

Entry-Level (P10)
$68,969
$5,747/mo
Mid-Career (Median)
$111,858
$9,322/mo
Senior (P90)
$179,437
$14,953/mo

Salary Progression: Entry-Level to Senior

The salary range for Veterinarians spans from $68,969 at entry-level to $179,437 at senior level — a difference of $110,468 per year.

P10
$68K
P25
$89K
Median
$111K
P75
$141K
P90
$179K

Career Growth Premium: +160%

Senior Veterinarianss earn $110,468 more per year than entry-level professionals.

Annual Difference
+$110,468
Monthly Difference
+$9,206
Hourly Difference
+$53.11
Growth Multiple
2.6x

Detailed Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

Complete percentile breakdown showing how Veterinarians salary increases with experience, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).

Experience Level Percentile Annual Salary Monthly Hourly
Entry-Level P10 $68,969 $5,747 $33.16
Early Career P25 $89,210 $7,434 $42.89
Mid-Career Median $111,858 $9,322 $53.78
Experienced P75 $141,132 $11,761 $67.85
Senior / Expert P90 $179,437 $14,953 $86.27
Key Insight

Veterinarians shows strong salary progression over a career. Entry-level professionals start around $68,969, while senior-level professionals earn $179,437 — a 160% increase. The biggest salary jump typically occurs between mid-career ($111,858) and experienced level ($141,132), suggesting that specialization and leadership responsibilities are the key drivers of higher pay.

Top States for Senior Veterinarians Pay

Which states pay the highest senior-level salaries for Veterinarians? Top 10 states ranked by 90th percentile (senior) pay.

1
$236,210
Entry: $78K
+200%
2
$228,470
Entry: $89K
+155%
3
$222,300
Entry: $96K
+131%
4
$219,410
Entry: $47K
+361%
5
$215,900
Entry: $85K
+152%
6
$215,770
Entry: $75K
+185%
7
$212,850
Entry: $74K
+185%
8
$210,280
Entry: $71K
+195%
9
$210,040
Entry: $94K
+123%
10
$209,820
Entry: $83K
+151%

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the entry-level salary for a Veterinarians?

Entry-level Veterinarianss (10th percentile) earn approximately $68,969 per year, or $5,747 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $89,210. Based on 2024 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.

How much does a senior Veterinarians make?

Senior Veterinarianss (90th percentile) earn approximately $179,437 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $141,132. This represents a career premium of 160% over entry-level pay.

What is the salary growth potential for a Veterinarians?

The career salary growth potential for Veterinarianss is 160%. Entry-level professionals start at $68,969, while senior-level can earn up to $179,437 — a difference of $110,468 per year.

Which state pays the highest salary for senior Veterinarianss?

The highest-paying state for senior Veterinarianss is New Jersey, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $236,210 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.

How are entry-level and senior Veterinarians salaries determined?

We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2024 data. The 10th percentile (P10) approximates entry-level pay — the salary that 90% of workers earn more than. The 90th percentile (P90) approximates senior/expert-level pay — only 10% of workers earn above this threshold. National averages are computed across all reporting U.S. states.

Related Salary Pages

About This Data

Salary percentile data is sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. National averages are computed across 46 states and the District of Columbia. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. Actual salaries vary based on location, employer, experience, education, and certifications.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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