Veterinarian salary in California
Updated Updated for 2026 tax law
A veterinarian in California earns a median of $163,920 a year ($78.81/hour equivalent), 26.0% above the national median of $130,100. California ranks #1 of 49 states. About 9,170 people do this job in California.
Take-home pay in California
At the California median, a single filer keeps about $110,175 a year after federal, FICA and California taxes — $4,237 every two weeks. Try your own numbers with the California paycheck calculator.
- Gross pay
- $6,304.62
- Federal income tax
- −$1,079.80
- Social Security (6.2%)
- −$390.89
- Medicare (1.45%)
- −$91.42
- California income tax
- −$423.06
- CA SDI
- −$81.96
- Take-home pay
- $4,237.49
Annual breakdown
- Gross
- $163,920
- Federal
- $28,075
- FICA
- $12,540
- State + local
- $13,131
- Net
- $110,175
- Marginal federal rate
- 24.0%
- Marginal state rate
- 9.3%
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.
How California compares
| Rank | State | Median salary |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | California | $163,920 |
| #2 | Maryland | $163,170 |
| #3 | Washington | $160,510 |
| #4 | New Jersey | $160,140 |
| #5 | Arizona | $152,020 |
| #47 | Oklahoma | $98,090 |
| #48 | Wyoming | $97,240 |
| #49 | South Dakota | $88,650 |
See the national veterinarian salary page for the full pay range and all states.
BLS occupation: Veterinarians (SOC 29-1131), May 2025, state estimates.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a veterinarian make in California?
The median salary is $163,920 a year and the average is $169,860 (BLS May 2025).
Is California a good state for veterinarians?
California ranks #1 of 49 states for median pay in this job, 26% above the national median of $130,100.
What is $163,920 after taxes in California?
About $110,175 a year ($4,237 every two weeks) for a single filer in 2026.
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Estimates for information only — not tax, legal or financial advice.