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Veterinarian: pay, job outlook and how to become one
- $73,920lowest 10% earn less
- $101,46025th percentile
- $130,100median
- $166,12075th percentile
- $215,700top 10% earn more
Veterinarians earn far more than the typical US worker, with a median wage of $130,100 a year[1][2], and BLS expects jobs to grow 9.4% over the next decade[3]. Getting there takes a veterinary medicine doctorate from an accredited school and a state license[4].
- Job growth, 2025–35
- +9.4%[3]
- Openings per year
- 3,100[6]
- Typical entry education
- Doctoral or professional degree[7]
How much do veterinarians make?
Veterinarians had a median wage of $130,100 a year, or $62.55 an hour, in May 2025[1]. Across all US occupations, the median was $50,980[2], so the typical vet earned more than twice as much as the typical US worker[1][2].
The mean (average) wage was higher than the median, at $142,680 a year or $68.60 an hour[8].
Pay varies a lot. The lowest-paid 10% of veterinarians earned less than $73,920 a year, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $215,700[5]. BLS reports these percentiles as boundaries and does not publish a starting salary[9].
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th[5][10] | $73,920 | $35.54 |
| 25th[5][10] | $101,460 | $48.78 |
| Median[1] | $130,100 | $62.55 |
| 75th[5][10] | $166,120 | $79.87 |
| 90th[5][10] | $215,700 | $103.70 |
| All occupations, median[2] | $50,980 | not shown |
These wage figures cover vets paid a wage or salary. They leave out the self-employed, and they do not include benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions[11]. In 2025, 7.2% of veterinarians were self-employed[12].
Pay by state and city
California had the highest state median for veterinarians at $163,920 a year[13]. Next came Maryland ($163,170), Washington ($160,510), New Jersey ($160,140) and Arizona ($152,020)[13]. At the other end of the list, South Dakota had the lowest published median, $88,650[13]. BLS published state data for 48 states and the District of Columbia[13].
City pay can be higher still. Among metro areas with at least 100 vet jobs, San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont led with a median of $208,080, followed by San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara at $192,160 and Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom at $165,260[14]. Five of the eight top paying metro areas on the BLS list are in California[14].
California has the most vet jobs, 9,170, followed by Texas with 6,270, Florida with 5,360, Pennsylvania with 3,490 and Ohio with 3,430[15]. The New York-Newark-Jersey City area had the most vet jobs of any metro, 3,150, with a median of $156,150[16]. Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim came second with 2,740 jobs and a median of $160,080[16].
Show median pay in 48 states and DC
| State | Median per year | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| California[13] | $163,920 | 9,170 |
| Maryland | $163,170 | 1,430 |
| Washington | $160,510 | 2,390 |
| New Jersey | $160,140 | 1,910 |
| Arizona | $152,020 | 2,080 |
| Massachusetts | $140,260 | 1,920 |
| District of Columbia | $134,530 | 190 |
| Illinois | $133,580 | 2,330 |
| Pennsylvania | $133,520 | 3,490 |
| Minnesota | $133,110 | 2,140 |
| New York | $131,830 | 3,390 |
| Vermont | $131,820 | 280 |
| Florida | $131,660 | 5,360 |
| Texas | $131,330 | 6,270 |
| Colorado | $130,840 | 2,340 |
| Maine | $130,600 | 600 |
| Hawaii | $130,120 | 370 |
| New Mexico | $129,390 | 460 |
| North Carolina | $129,240 | 2,940 |
| West Virginia | $128,990 | 390 |
| Oregon | $128,880 | 1,660 |
| New Hampshire | $128,190 | 650 |
| Virginia | $126,730 | 2,700 |
| Georgia | $126,590 | 2,670 |
| Rhode Island | $126,570 | 430 |
| Connecticut | $126,190 | 950 |
| Nevada | $125,550 | 680 |
| Michigan | $125,390 | 2,030 |
| Ohio | $125,060 | 3,430 |
| Iowa | $124,610 | 1,000 |
| Indiana | $124,530 | 1,500 |
| Louisiana | $124,370 | 950 |
| Tennessee | $124,350 | 1,730 |
| Utah | $123,990 | 640 |
| South Carolina | $122,130 | 1,380 |
| Idaho | $116,170 | 540 |
| Missouri | $114,660 | 1,920 |
| Wisconsin | $108,780 | 1,830 |
| Arkansas | $107,710 | 540 |
| Kansas | $107,080 | 1,000 |
| Alabama | $105,630 | 1,020 |
| Mississippi | $105,370 | 480 |
| Kentucky | $104,100 | 1,190 |
| Nebraska | $103,500 | 780 |
| North Dakota | $102,180 | 270 |
| Montana | $99,390 | 510 |
| Oklahoma | $98,090 | 1,150 |
| Wyoming | $97,240 | 140 |
| South Dakota | $88,650 | 280 |
How to become a veterinarian
BLS lists a doctoral or professional degree as the typical education for entry, with no related work experience or on-the-job training needed[7]. In practice, that means a veterinary medicine degree plus a state license[4].
1) Earn a bachelor's degree. Applicants to vet school typically have one, often in a field like biology[17]. Vet colleges usually want plenty of science, such as biology, chemistry and animal science, and most programs also ask for math, humanities and social science classes[17]. 2) Get hands-on animal experience. Some vet colleges prefer applicants who have studied agriculture or worked with animals at a farm, a stable or a shelter[18]. 3) Get into an accredited veterinary college. Admission is competitive[17]. 4) Complete the DVM or VMD degree. The program generally takes 4 years[19]. Students study animal anatomy and physiology and how to prevent, diagnose and treat disease[20]. The first 3 years usually mix classes, lab work and clinical work, and the last year is typically spent on clinical rotations at a veterinary hospital or medical center[20]. 5) Pass the exams and get licensed. Every state requires an accredited degree and a passing score on a qualifying exam[21]. Most states also require a state licensing exam on top of the national exam[22].
A few licensing details matter if you might move. Each state exam covers that state's laws and rules, and few states accept a license from another state[23]. So vets usually take the exam for each state where they want a license[23]. Vets who work for a state or federal government agency may not need a state license[22]. Certification is optional, but it lets vets show their skills in areas like animal husbandry, health and welfare, and facility administration[24].
On timing, the vet degree itself takes 4 years[19], usually after a bachelor's degree[17]. ONET places the job in Job Zone Five, its group for jobs that call for extensive preparation, skill and know-how[25]. In an ONET survey of 27 veterinarians, 79% said the job requires a doctoral degree, 12% said post-doctoral training and 9% said a first professional degree[26].
What veterinarians do
Veterinarians diagnose, treat or research diseases and injuries in animals[27]. Some care for pets, while others inspect livestock or work in research and development[27]. Common tasks include[28]:
- treating sick or hurt animals with medicine, surgery, bandaging or bone setting
- giving vaccines against diseases like rabies and distemper
- examining animals to find out what illness or injury they have
- taking blood, urine, tissue or other samples for lab testing
- running X-ray or ultrasound equipment and reading the images
- advising owners on feeding, hygiene, general care and treatment choices
- helping owners through a pet's death or a decision about euthanasia, and performing euthanasia
- teaching the public about diseases that pass from animals to people
Where they work
Veterinary services firms employ 83% of veterinarians[29]. Most vets work in private clinics and animal hospitals, and others travel to farms or work in labs, classrooms or zoos[30].
- Farm and ranch work. Vets who treat horses or food animals split time between the office and farms or ranches. They work outside in any weather and may operate in remote places[31].
- Food safety. Inspection vets visit farms, slaughterhouses and food plants to check animal health and make sure safety rules are followed[32].
- Stress and strain. Caring for abused animals, putting sick animals down and supporting worried owners can take an emotional toll[33]. Farm, ranch, slaughterhouse and wildlife work can also be hard on the body[33].
- Injury risk. Scared or hurting animals may bite, kick or scratch, and sick animals can pass on disease[34].
- Schedules. Most vets work full time and often put in more than 40 hours a week[35]. Some work nights or weekends and may be called in for emergencies[35].
Job outlook
BLS projects veterinarian jobs to grow 9.4% between 2025 and 2035, rising from roughly 91,100 jobs to 99,600[3]. That is well above the 3.5% growth projected for all occupations[36].
There should be about 3,100 openings a year on average[6]. That count includes new jobs and jobs that open up when vets retire or switch careers[6]. Each year, about 1.6% of vets are expected to leave the labor force and 0.7% to move to a different occupation[37].
The projection counts include self-employed vets[3]. The wage survey counts about 83,900 wage and salary jobs and leaves out the self-employed[38].
Is it a good fit?
The facts point to strong pay and good job growth for veterinarians. The median wage is more than twice the all-occupations median[1][2], and jobs are projected to grow at well above the overall rate[3][36]. The trade-off is a long, competitive path[25][17]: a 4-year vet degree[19], usually after a bachelor's degree[17], plus licensing exams[21][22]. The work suits people who want to treat animals and can handle emotional stress, physical demands and long or irregular hours[33][35].
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a veterinarian make an hour?
- The median hourly wage for veterinarians was $62.55 in May 2025[1]. The lowest-paid 10% earned less than $35.54 an hour, and the highest-paid 10% earned more than $103.70[10].
- How long does it take to become a veterinarian?
- The veterinary medicine degree generally takes 4 years[19]. Applicants typically finish a bachelor's degree first[17], and they must pass licensing exams before they can practice[21].
- What degree do you need to be a veterinarian?
- You need a veterinary medicine doctorate, called a DVM or VMD, from an accredited vet college[19]. BLS lists a doctoral or professional degree as the typical entry education[7].
- Are veterinarians in demand?
- BLS projects 9.4% job growth from 2025 to 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations[3][36]. About 3,100 openings are expected each year[6].
- What is the highest paying state for veterinarians?
- California had the highest state median at $163,920 a year, followed by Maryland at $163,170[13].
Facts and sources
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median wage for Veterinarians in the US was $130,100 per year and $62.55 per hour. Half of workers earned more and half earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the median annual wage for all occupations in the US was $50,980. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: employment of Veterinarians is projected to grow 9.4% from 2025 to 2035, from about 91,100 to 99,600 jobs (a change of +8,600). These counts include self-employed workers. BLS Employment Projections
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, annual wage percentiles for Veterinarians: 10th percentile $73,920, 25th percentile $101,460, 75th percentile $166,120, 90th percentile $215,700. The 10th percentile means 10% of workers earned less. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: about 3,100 openings for Veterinarians are projected each year, on average, from 2025 to 2035. Openings include jobs that open when workers retire or move to other occupations, not only new jobs. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, typical path into Veterinarians: education needed for entry: Doctoral or professional degree; work experience in a related occupation: None; typical on-the-job training: None. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: the mean (average) wage for Veterinarians was $142,680 per year and $68.60 per hour. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: a percentile wage is a boundary. The median (50th percentile) separates the highest-paid 50% from the lowest-paid 50% of workers in the occupation. OEWS publishes percentile wages, not a starting salary. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, hourly wage percentiles for Veterinarians: 10th percentile $35.54, 25th percentile $48.78, 75th percentile $79.87, 90th percentile $103.70. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS FAQ: OEWS covers part-time and full-time workers paid a wage or salary. It does not cover the self-employed, owners and partners in unincorporated firms, household workers or unpaid family workers. OEWS wages do not include nonproduction bonuses or employer costs of benefits such as health insurance or retirement contributions. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS Employment Projections: 7.2% of Veterinarians were self-employed in 2025. BLS Employment Projections
- Median annual wage for Veterinarians in every state with published data, May 2025 (table on this page). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the highest median annual wage for Veterinarians (areas with at least 100 jobs): San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $208,080; San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $192,160; Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA $165,260; Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA $164,820; Barnstable Town, MA $164,060; Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA $163,810; Salinas, CA $163,080; Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $162,930. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, states with the most Veterinarians jobs: California 9,170; Texas 6,270; Florida 5,360; Pennsylvania 3,490; Ohio 3,430. BLS OEWS, May 2025
- BLS OEWS, May 2025, metro areas with the most Veterinarians jobs: New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ 3,150 (median $156,150); Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA 2,740 (median $160,080); Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD 1,790 (median $139,810); Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX 1,760 (median $133,550); Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV 1,740 (median $154,350); Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA 1,610 (median $128,980). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Education. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, How to Become One: Licenses, Certifications, and Registrations. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- O*NET 29-1131.00: Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed. Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET 29-1131.00 survey of workers (27 respondents), education level they say is required: Doctoral Degree 79%, Post-Doctoral Training 12%, First Professional Degree 9% (levels under 5% not listed). O*NET OnLine
- O*NET description of Veterinarians. O*NET OnLine
- O*NET task list for Veterinarians. O*NET OnLine
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook, largest employers of veterinarians in 2025: Veterinary services 83%. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Injuries and Illnesses. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Occupational Outlook Handbook, Work Environment: Work Schedules. BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook
- BLS Employment Projections: employment in all occupations is projected to grow 3.5% from 2025 to 2035. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS Employment Projections, 2025-35 annual average for Veterinarians: 1.6% of workers leave the labor force each year and 0.7% move to a different occupation. BLS Employment Projections
- BLS OEWS, May 2025: about 83,900 people were employed as Veterinarians in the US (wage and salary jobs, not counting self-employed workers). BLS OEWS, May 2025
- Related occupations (O*NET) with BLS pay, growth and entry education. O*NET OnLine
This page includes information from the 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. CareerFacts has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.