How much does a veterinarian make in California?
$163,900a year
Median yearly pay for veterinarians in California. That is $78.81 an hour or $13,660 a month.
- Hourly
- $78.81
- Vs. national median
- +26%
- Rank among states
- 1 of 49
- Jobs in the state
- 9,170
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $74,850Median: $163,900Highest 10%: $286,300
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $74,850 | $35.99 | |
| 25th | $125,500 | $60.32 | |
| Median | $163,900 | $78.81 | |
| 75th | $211,800 | $101.85 | |
| 90th | $286,300 | $137.66 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Francisco, CA | $208,100 |
| San Jose, CA | $192,200 |
| Napa, CA | $172,600 |
| Sacramento, CA | $165,300 |
| Santa Cruz, CA | $164,800 |
| Salinas, CA | $163,100 |
| Modesto, CA | $162,200 |
| Riverside, CA | $160,900 |
| Chico, CA | $160,200 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $160,100 |
| San Diego, CA | $159,800 |
| Redding, CA | $159,000 |
| Santa Maria, CA | $158,800 |
| Oxnard, CA | $158,800 |
| Santa Rosa, CA | $158,800 |
| Vallejo, CA | $157,700 |
| Fresno, CA | $157,500 |
| San Luis Obispo, CA | $152,000 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $150,800 |
| Stockton, CA | $144,000 |
| Visalia, CA | $133,400 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for veterinarians.
| 1. California | $163,900 |
| 2. Maryland | $163,200 |
| 3. Washington | $160,500 |
| 4. New Jersey | $160,100 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a veterinarian make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $78.81 ($163,900 a year).
Do veterinarians make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $163,900 against $130,100 nationally, 26% more.
Where does California rank for veterinarian pay?
California ranks 1 of 49 states.
Which city in California pays veterinarians the most?
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, with a median of $208,100 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.