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Being a veterinarian doesn’t just give you an opportunity to work with animals all day — you could also earn good money. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for a vet is $125,510.
However, the profession requires a doctor of veterinary medicine degree, which generally takes four years to complete. Is it worth the extra education to become a veterinarian? Let’s find out.
Key Points
• The mean annual salary for veterinarians in the U.S. is $125,510, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
• Salaries can vary significantly based on geographic location, with higher pay in urban areas and lower pay in rural regions.
• More experienced veterinarians and those with specialized training often earn higher salaries.
• Veterinarians working in private practices, research, or academia may have different salary ranges and benefits.
• The demand for veterinarians is expected to grow, driven by an increasing pet population and advancements in veterinary medicine.
What Are Veterinarians?
Veterinarians are medically licensed doctors whose patients are animals. Just like a doctor for humans, vets ensure their patients are healthy by diagnosing issues, treating injuries, and administering vaccinations.
Some veterinarians only work with certain animals, such as horses, or have specialties like immunology, anesthesia, or dentistry.
It typically takes eight years to become a veterinarian, including four years of undergraduate education and four years of veterinary school.
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How Much Do Starting Veterinarians Make?
The entry-level salary for a veterinarian is less than those with many years of experience. According to the BLS, veterinarians in the lowest 10% earned less than $70,350, whereas those in the highest 10% earned over $212,890.
Starting salaries will vary, too, based on location and whether or not the practice is private or corporate. Corporate salaries tend to start higher, but the potential to earn more may be larger when working for a private practice. Some practices may also offer a sign-on bonus.
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What Is the Average Salary for a Veterinarian?
The average hourly rate for a veterinarian is $60.34, though with 10 years or more of experience, that amount could surpass $100 per hour.
Now, how much does a vet make a year? Depending on a host of factors, a vet could earn anywhere from $70,350 on the lower end to $212,890 or more on the higher end.
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What Is the Average Veterinarian Salary by State for 2024?
Interested in the highest-paying jobs by state so you can see what salaries are like where you live? Here are the state-by-state mean wages for vets.
| State | Annual Mean Wage |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $112,070 |
| Arizona | $190,600 |
| Arkansas | $105,850 |
| California | $168,280 |
| Colorado | $123,010 |
| Connecticut | $142,320 |
| District of Columbia | $165,020 |
| Florida | $142,040 |
| Georgia | $124,960 |
| Hawaii | $120,300 |
| Idaho | $117,810 |
| Illinois | $157,950 |
| Indiana | $123,960 |
| Iowa | $109,110 |
| Kansas | $110,250 |
| Kentucky | $107,690 |
| Louisiana | $144,490 |
| Maine | $136,960 |
| Massachusetts | $161,170 |
| Michigan | $121,640 |
| Minnesota | $121,270 |
| Mississippi | $108,120 |
| Missouri | $128,310 |
| Montana | $94,250 |
| Nebraska | $87,250 |
| Nevada | $134,010 |
| New Hampshire | $143,510 |
| New Jersey | $158,100 |
| New Mexico | $131,560 |
| New York | $149,360 |
| North Carolina | $129,440 |
| North Dakota | $107,060 |
| Ohio | $130,370 |
| Oklahoma | $122,640 |
| Oregon | $121,000 |
| Pennsylvania | $140,390 |
| Rhode Island | $139,830 |
| South Carolina | $127,710 |
| South Dakota | $97,090 |
| Tennessee | $129,370 |
| Texas | $130,770 |
| Utah | $140,180 |
| Vermont | $155,130 |
| Virginia | $133,020 |
| Washington | $154,770 |
| West Virginia | $135,660 |
| Wisconsin | $118,030 |
| Wyoming | $104,850 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Veterinarian Job Considerations for Pay and Benefits
The amount you actually get paid as a veterinarian will depend on several factors. For instance, you probably won’t make as much money when you’re fresh out of veterinary school as you would after working in the field for a decade or more. And as the chart above shows, the state where you decide to live will also influence how much you earn.
Other factors that can play a role include whether you choose to work for a corporate practice or private practice, whether you manage staff, and whether you pursue a specialty field.
No matter what your take-home pay is, online tools like a money tracker app can help you create budgets and keep tabs on your finances.
Pros and Cons of Being a Veterinarian
Before you sign up for veterinary school, let’s look at the benefits and drawbacks of becoming a vet.
Pros
If you love animals, few jobs will put you in as close contact with them as being a vet. On any given day, you could see dogs, cats, snakes, turtles, rabbits, and even horses!
And if you’re looking to make good money, being a veterinarian is a great option. Even starting out, vets could potentially draw a $100,000 salary.
The veterinary industry is stable, which can be appealing if you’re considering opening your own practice. And unlike other medical professions, veterinarians usually keep standard office hours.
đź’ˇ Quick Tip: Income, expenses, and life circumstances can change. Consider reviewing your budget a few times a year and making any adjustments if needed.
Cons
The profession has a few drawbacks to consider. For instance, you may be required to perform emergency services after hours.
Once you finish your undergraduate degree, you’ll also need to complete veterinary school before you can start working. A typical program takes around four years to complete, so you may need to earmark a portion of your salary to pay back medical school student loans.
And like most jobs in the medical field, being a veterinarian can be emotionally taxing. After all, you’ll be responsible for putting fatally wounded or older animals to sleep, and that can be difficult.
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The Takeaway
The mean annual salary for veterinarians in the U.S. is approximately $125,510, but this figure can vary widely depending on location, experience, and specialization. While urban areas and specialized fields tend to offer higher pay, the overall job outlook for veterinarians remains positive.
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FAQ
What is the highest paying veterinarian job?
On the high end, veterinarians can make $212,890 or more per year.
Do veterinarians make over 100K a year?
Yes, many veterinarians earn over $100,000 per year, but that varies depending on their experience, where they live, and their responsibilities.
How much do veterinarians make starting out?
Just starting out, veterinarians may make on the low end of the pay scale. The bottom 10% of veterinarians make $70,350 per year, but this can increase with experience.
Photo credit: iStock/Viktor Cvetkovic
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