How much does a veterinarian make in Santa Cruz?
$164,800a year
Median yearly pay for veterinarians in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area. That is $79.24 an hour or $13,740 a month.
- Hourly
- $79.24
- Vs. national median
- +27%
- Rank among cities
- 5 of 283
- Jobs in the area
- 130
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $68,430Median: $164,800Highest 10%: $298,800
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $68,430 | $32.90 | |
| 25th | $122,600 | $58.92 | |
| Median | $164,800 | $79.24 | |
| 75th | $219,300 | $105.43 | |
| 90th | $298,800 | $143.67 |
Other cities in California
Median yearly pay for veterinarians.
| San Francisco, CA | $208,100 |
| San Jose, CA | $192,200 |
| Sacramento, CA | $165,300 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Santa Cruz
Same field, median yearly pay.
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $431,000 |
| Physician | $305,600 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $291,900 |
| Dentist | $176,000 |
| Registered Nurse | $171,000 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $167,200 |
| Pharmacist | $161,900 |
| Physician Assistant | $159,000 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $134,900 |
| Dental Hygienist | $130,600 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a veterinarian make an hour in Santa Cruz?
The median hourly pay in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area is $79.24 ($164,800 a year).
Do veterinarians make more in Santa Cruz than the national average?
Yes: $164,800 against $130,100 nationally, 27% more.
How does Santa Cruz compare with the rest of California?
The median in California is $163,900, so Santa Cruz pays 1% more.
Where does Santa Cruz rank for veterinarian pay?
5 of 283 metro areas with data.
How much does a veterinarian make starting out in Santa Cruz?
The lowest-paid 10% make $68,430 or less a year; the top 10% make $298,800 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.