Veterinarians
SOC 29-1131 • View wages by state
The median annual wage for Veterinarians is $119,100, based on BLS OEWS 2023 data. The mean annual wage is $136,300, and an estimated 78,220 workers are employed in this occupation nationally. Between 2020 and 2023, pay rose +20% while consumer prices rose 17.7% — a real change of +1.9% after inflation. BLS projects employment will grow 9.6% between 2024 and 2034.
Wage Trend & Inflation Adjustment
How the national median wage for Veterinarians has moved across BLS OEWS release years, and what each year's wage is worth in 2023 dollars after adjusting for CPI inflation. "Real" change strips out inflation — the truest measure of whether pay is actually rising.
| Year | Median (nominal) | In 2023 $ (real) | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $119,100 | $119,100 | 78,220 |
| 2022 | $103,260 | $107,511 | 78,810 |
| 2021 | $100,370 | $112,865 | 77,260 |
| 2020 | $99,250 | $116,848 | 73,710 |
Nominal change
+20%
Inflation (CPI)
+17.7%
Real change
+1.9%
Job Outlook (2024–2034 BLS projection)
The BLS Employment Projections program estimates how each occupation's employment will change over the coming decade, and how many job openings to expect each year (from both growth and the need to replace workers who leave).
Projected Growth
+9.6%
Much faster than average
Employment 2024
86,400
Projected 2034
94,700
Annual Openings
3,000
Typical entry-level education: Doctoral or professional degree.
Highest-Paying Areas (2023)
Where Veterinarians earn the most, and how each area's median compares to the national median of $119,100. A positive premium means the area pays above the national rate.
| Area | Median Annual | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | $137,610 | +15.5% | 1,490 |
| New Jersey | $132,970 | +11.6% | 1,930 |
| California | $132,360 | +11.1% | 7,690 |
| Rhode Island | $132,280 | +11.1% | 270 |
| Capital/Northern New York nonmetropolitan area | $132,270 | +11.1% | 140 |
| Massachusetts nonmetropolitan area | $131,720 | +10.6% | 30 |
| Washington | $130,890 | +9.9% | 2,040 |
| District of Columbia | $130,820 | +9.8% | 150 |
| Massachusetts | $130,520 | +9.6% | 1,740 |
| New York | $130,490 | +9.6% | 3,420 |
Wage Distribution (National, 2023)
10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile annual wages from BLS OEWS — the full spread, not just an average.
10th Pct
$72,360
25th Pct
$94,860
Median
$119,100
75th Pct
$155,230
90th Pct
$201,440
H-1B Employer Filings
Employer-certified wages from DOL H-1B LCA filings — competitive market benchmark, not approved visas.
| Employer | State | Filings | Median Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Caring Doctor (Texas), P.C. | TX | 6 | $121,000 |
| University of Illinois | IL | 5 | $39,257 |
| Virginia Animal Care PLLC | VA | 3 | $200,000 |
| North Carolina State University | NC | 3 | $42,193 |
| Purdue University | IN | 3 | $92,000 |
| VCA INC. | CA | 2 | $146,000 |
| Suveto Veterinary TX PLLC | TX | 2 | $175,000 |
| NVA Summit Veterinary Management, LLC | WA | 2 | $152,303 |
| Oklahoma State University | OK | 2 | $114,239 |
| Poulsbo Veterinary Hospital, PLLC | WA | 2 | $200,000 |
| HIGHLAND VILLAGE VETERINARY SERVICES INC. | CA | 2 | $250,000 |
| CENTRAL VALLEY VET INC. | CA | 2 | $249,600 |
| Ocean State Veterinary Specialists | RI | 2 | $89,440 |
| Iowa State University of Science and Technology | IA | 2 | $45,000 |
| University of Wisconsin System | WI | 2 | $126,922 |
| Duarte Azusa Animal Hospital, Inc | CA | 2 | $104,749 |
| Wake Animal Care PLLC | NC | 2 | $150,000 |
| Cara Veterinary Practice WA, PLLC | WA | 2 | $165,000 |
| University of California, Davis | CA | 2 | $120,000 |
| Pathway Vet Alliance LLC dba Thrive Pet Healthcare | CA | 1 | $80,000 |
Source: DOL Office of Foreign Labor Certification, H-1B LCA data.
Related Occupations in Healthcare Practitioners & Technical
Other occupations in the same SOC major group, ranked by national median wage.
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