Veterinarian salary
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A veterinarian earns a median of $130,100 a year ($62.55 an hour) in the US, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025). The average is $142,680. About 83,900 people work in this job.
Take-home pay on $130,100
- Gross pay
- $5,003.85
- Federal income tax
- −$767.62
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$310.24
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$72.56
- Texas income tax
- $0.00No state income tax on wages
- Take-home pay
- $3,853.44
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $130,100
- Federal
- $19,958
- FICA
- $9,953
- State + local
- $0
- Net
- $100,189
- Marginal federal rate
- 24.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 0.0%
2026 federal brackets (Rev. Proc. 2025-32) and 2026 state rules. Estimates assume wages are your only income and use annual liability, so your actual withholding can differ slightly.
Veterinarian salary by state
| State | Median salary | Average | Employed |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | $163,920 | $169,860 | 9,170 |
| Maryland | $163,170 | $163,830 | 1,430 |
| Washington | $160,510 | $163,010 | 2,390 |
| New Jersey | $160,140 | $166,170 | 1,910 |
| Arizona | $152,020 | $187,410 | 2,080 |
| Massachusetts | $140,260 | $157,520 | 1,920 |
| District of Columbia | $134,530 | $160,520 | 190 |
| Illinois | $133,580 | $153,810 | 2,330 |
| Pennsylvania | $133,520 | $154,440 | 3,490 |
| Minnesota | $133,110 | $146,230 | 2,140 |
| New York | $131,830 | $151,530 | 3,390 |
| Vermont | $131,820 | $145,030 | 280 |
| Florida | $131,660 | $139,760 | 5,360 |
| Texas | $131,330 | $138,150 | 6,270 |
| Colorado | $130,840 | $137,190 | 2,340 |
| Maine | $130,600 | $136,620 | 600 |
| Hawaii | $130,120 | $128,820 | 370 |
| New Mexico | $129,390 | $138,880 | 460 |
| North Carolina | $129,240 | $136,200 | 2,940 |
| West Virginia | $128,990 | $127,520 | 390 |
| Oregon | $128,880 | $133,560 | 1,660 |
| New Hampshire | $128,190 | $144,960 | 650 |
| Virginia | $126,730 | $143,080 | 2,700 |
| Georgia | $126,590 | $127,920 | 2,670 |
| Rhode Island | $126,570 | $133,850 | 430 |
| Connecticut | $126,190 | $139,290 | 950 |
| Nevada | $125,550 | $140,600 | 680 |
| Michigan | $125,390 | $128,100 | 2,030 |
| Ohio | $125,060 | $129,890 | 3,430 |
| Iowa | $124,610 | $122,200 | 1,000 |
| Indiana | $124,530 | $127,060 | 1,500 |
| Louisiana | $124,370 | $125,270 | 950 |
| Tennessee | $124,350 | $129,660 | 1,730 |
| Utah | $123,990 | $139,770 | 640 |
| South Carolina | $122,130 | $126,280 | 1,380 |
| Idaho | $116,170 | $118,000 | 540 |
| Missouri | $114,660 | $125,720 | 1,920 |
| Wisconsin | $108,780 | $118,890 | 1,830 |
| Arkansas | $107,710 | $108,100 | 540 |
| Kansas | $107,080 | $117,620 | 1,000 |
| Alabama | $105,630 | $120,170 | 1,020 |
| Mississippi | $105,370 | $114,370 | 480 |
| Kentucky | $104,100 | $112,730 | 1,190 |
| Nebraska | $103,500 | $123,810 | 780 |
| North Dakota | $102,180 | $108,300 | 270 |
| Montana | $99,390 | $112,730 | 510 |
| Oklahoma | $98,090 | $123,820 | 1,150 |
| Wyoming | $97,240 | $105,200 | 140 |
| South Dakota | $88,650 | $93,990 | 280 |
Similar jobs
- Nurse Practitioner: $132,300
- Nurse Midwive: $134,040
- Physician Assistant: $135,880
- Optometrist: $136,570
- Pharmacist: $140,910
- Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioner: $115,210
- Medical Dosimetrist: $147,470
- Radiation Therapist: $105,310
BLS occupation: Veterinarians. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Excludes the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a veterinarian make an hour?
The median hourly wage is $62.55; the average is $68.60.
Which state pays veterinarians the most?
California ($163,920 median), followed by Maryland and Washington.
What is the salary range for a veterinarian?
The bottom 10% earn under $73,920 and the top 10% earn over $215,700 a year.
How much is $130,100 after taxes?
About $100,189 a year in Texas (no state income tax) or $90,644 in California for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.