How much does a veterinarian make in San Diego?
$159,800a year
Median yearly pay for veterinarians in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area. That is $76.80 an hour or $13,310 a month.
- Hourly
- $76.80
- Vs. national median
- +23%
- Rank among cities
- 19 of 283
- Jobs in the area
- 1,080
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $67,540Median: $159,800Highest 10%: $276,200
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $67,540 | $32.47 | |
| 25th | $124,500 | $59.87 | |
| Median | $159,800 | $76.80 | |
| 75th | $199,600 | $95.95 | |
| 90th | $276,200 | $132.80 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for veterinarians.
| San Francisco, CA | $208,100 |
| San Jose, CA | $192,200 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in San Diego
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Cardiologist | $493,700 |
| Psychiatrist | $335,600 |
| Physician | $333,300 |
| Physician | $323,100 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $295,500 |
| Obstetrician and Gynecologist | $293,400 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $282,200 |
| Pediatrician | $262,700 |
| Podiatrist | $235,400 |
| Dermatologist | $233,400 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a veterinarian make an hour in San Diego?
The median hourly pay in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area is $76.80 ($159,800 a year).
Do veterinarians make more in San Diego than the national average?
Yes: $159,800 against $130,100 nationally, 23% more.
How does San Diego compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $163,900, so San Diego pays 3% less.
Where does San Diego rank for veterinarian pay?
19 of 283 metro areas with data.
How much does a veterinarian make starting out in San Diego?
The lowest-paid 10% make $67,540 or less a year; the top 10% make $276,200 or more.
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.