If you’re a lover of animals, pursuing a career as a veterinarian could be a smart move. The median pay for veterinarians as of 2017 is $90,420, according to the latest data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. On top of that, the future for veterinarians looks good, as the BLS projects employment to grow 19%, which is far above the average.
Of course, not all places pay veterinarians the same salary. So, if you want to earn the most money while indulging your love of animals, read on for a full breakdown of where veterinarian’s incomes are the lowest, and where their incomes are the highest.
10 States Where Veterinarians Earn the Most Money
Here’s a list of the top-10 states in order of average incomes for veterinarians:
Rank | State | 2017 Mean Annual Wage |
1 | Hawaii | $198,340 |
2 | New Jersey | $124,870 |
3 | New York | $122,500 |
4 | Nevada | $121,150 |
5 | California | $120,300 |
6 | Rhode Island | $118,650 |
7 | Connecticut | $114,110 |
8 | Virginia | $111,570 |
9 | Alaska | $110,270 |
10 | Texas | $109,920 |
10 States Where Veterinarians Earn the Least Money
The states that pay veterinarians the least are a mix of states in the U.S. South and Mountain division, such as Montana and Utah.
Rank | State | 2017 Mean Annual Wage |
1 | Arkansas | $69,130 |
2 | Nebraska | $73,400 |
3 | Montana | $75,680 |
4 | Mississippi | $76,100 |
5 | Utah | $79,000 |
6 | Oklahoma | $81,310 |
7 | Louisiana | $83,130 |
8 | Iowa | $84,240 |
9 | Kansas | $84,560 |
10 | Wyoming | $85,180 |
How Much Veterinarians Earn in All 50 States
Here’s a look at average veterinarian salaries by state.
State | 2017 Mean Annual Wage |
Alabama | $87,740 |
Alaska | $110,270 |
Arizona | $101,870 |
Arkansas | $69,130 |
California | $120,300 |
Colorado | $86,220 |
Connecticut | $114,110 |
Delaware | $106,810 |
Florida | $100,140 |
Georgia | $88,050 |
Hawaii | $198,340 |
Idaho | $87,900 |
Illinois | $96,440 |
Indiana | $89,070 |
Iowa | $84,240 |
Kansas | $84,560 |
Kentucky | $92,010 |
Louisiana | $83,130 |
Maine | $96,870 |
Maryland | $106,500 |
Massachusetts | $108,300 |
Michigan | $90,270 |
Minnesota | $91,980 |
Mississippi | $76,100 |
Missouri | $96,250 |
Montana | $75,680 |
Nebraska | $73,400 |
Nevada | $121,150 |
New Hampshire | $104,400 |
New Jersey | $124,870 |
New Mexico | $105,040 |
New York | $122,500 |
North Carolina | $104,590 |
North Dakota | $96,090 |
Ohio | $98,990 |
Oklahoma | $81,310 |
Oregon | $90,470 |
Pennsylvania | $106,420 |
Rhode Island | $118,650 |
South Carolina | $105,830 |
South Dakota | $86,300 |
Tennessee | $88,130 |
Texas | $109,920 |
Utah | $79,000 |
Vermont | $104,160 |
Virginia | $111,570 |
Washington | $92,950 |
West Virginia | $92,820 |
Wisconsin | $88,990 |
Wyoming | $85,180 |
Up Next: Here’s How Much Lawyers Make in Every State
How much does a Veterinarian make?
Veterinarians make $109,524 per year on average, or $52.66 per hour, in the United States. Veterinarians on the lower end of that spectrum, the bottom 10% to be exact, make roughly $58,000 a year, while the top 10% makes $205,000.
Location impacts how much a veterinarian can expect to make. Veterinarians make the most in Maine, New Mexico, Vermont, Maryland, and New Jersey.
Highest Paying States For Veterinarians
The darker areas on the map show where veterinarians earn the highest salaries across all 50 states.
- State View
- County View
Veterinarian average salary by State
Top Veterinarian Jobs Near You
Highest Paying Cities For Veterinarians
Veterinarian Salary Details
Average Veterinarian Salary Graph, Trends, and SummaryHow Would You Rate The Starting Salaries For Veterinarians, As Well As The Prospects For Salary Advancement?
Jamie Rauscher RVT
Medical Manager, Animal Hospital of Towne Lake and Cat Clinic of Woodstock
I live in Georgia. Starting salaries for a RVT in this state is around $17 an hour. 25 years ago I made $5 an hour walking dogs and cleaning kennels. My salary now is set to cover that of a RVT with management duties. Again, I do believe that employers that pay their staff well will be able to retain them longterm. If you feel like you deserve a raise, prove it, stand up for yourself, and ask for it! Technicians that obtain their specialties or go into management will make more as their education/skills progress. Show more
Which Companies Pay Veterinarians The Most?
Veterinarian Salary Trends
Average Veterinarian Salary Over Time
Compare salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Recently Added Veterinarian Salaries
Veterinarian Salaries FAQs
What State Pays Veterinarians The Most?
Maine pays Veterinarians the most in the United States, with an average salary of $116,665 per year, or $56.09 per hour.
How Do I Know If I'm Being Paid Fairly As A Veterinarian?
You know if you are being paid fairly as a Veterinarian if your pay is close to the average pay for the state you live in. For example, if you live in New Mexico you should be paid close to $113,328 per year.
What Type Of Veterinarian Gets Paid The Most?
Animal Doctor gets paid the most. Animal Doctor made a median salary of $271,022. The best-paid 10 percent make $463,000, while the lowest-paid 10 percent make $158,000.
Do Veterinarians Make Good Money?
Yes, veterinarians make good money. While veterinarians' salaries can vary, the profession is generally well-compensated.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that veterinarians make a median salary of $93,830. The best-paid veterinarians earn $162,450, while the lowest-paid earn $56,540.
What Type Of Vet Makes The Most Money?
Commercial and consulting vets make the most money. Commercial and consulting veterinarians can expect to make an annual salary of around $160,000.
However, the median salary for a veterinarian is around $90,000 in a year, but can range from around $56,000 on the low end to over $162,000 on the high end.
Search For Veterinarian Jobs