Are you curious about veterinarian compensation? How Much Do Vets Make across the United States? HOW.EDU.VN offers expert insights into veterinary earnings based on location, experience, and practice type, giving you a clearer picture of potential income. Discover the earning potential for veterinary professionals and explore salary expectations in the veterinary field, while getting the most updated vet salary data. Explore salary benchmarks, and regional salary variations for valuable insight.
1. Veterinarian Salary Based on Experience
Experience plays a significant role in determining how much veterinarians earn. Here’s a breakdown of salary expectations at different career stages:
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Internship: Paid internships offer valuable experience, but at a lower salary than entry-level positions.
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Entry-Level: According to 2022 AVMA statistics, entry-level positions for graduates in private practice earn a mean salary of $114,027, while public practice roles average $87,862. Salary ranges will vary based on location and specialty.
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Experienced Vets: Veterinarians with board certification or those who become partners in a veterinary practice can expect to earn between $110,000 and $150,000. Those with over ten years of experience, part-owners, partners, or veterinarians in multi-site practices, typically earn at the higher end of the scale.
2. How Veterinarian Income Varies by Practice Type
Veterinarian compensation depends on the type of veterinary practice. Here are some common settings:
- Commercial and Consulting
- Private Practice (various specialties)
- Research and Education
- Government
- Military
- Non-Profit
Earnings also depend on experience and location. Veterinarians in commercial settings earn in the $160,000 range, while consultants earn around $150,000.
Veterinarians in private practice with various specialties earn an average of $100,000 to $120,000. Food animal and equine vets typically earn $90,000 to $100,000, depending on their experience and location. Veterinarians in academia can earn up to $120,000, while government or military vets earn between $100,000 and $120,000. Non-profit veterinary practices pay around $90,000.
3. Highest Paying States for Veterinarians
Comparing open-source data on ZipRecruiter.com and Indeed.com is a solid way to review average veterinary compensation. Here are the top 5 states with the highest average veterinary salaries across the country:
3.1. Hawaii (HI): $132,996
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), high salaries in Hawaii are due to supply and demand, with roughly 0.5 veterinarians per 1,000 people and approximately 270 veterinarians employed.
3.2. Nevada (NV): $125,969
Nevada has about 0.3 veterinarians per 1,000 people, with under 600 veterinarians employed.
3.3. Massachusetts (MA): $125,751
Massachusetts employs about 0.56 veterinarians per 1,000 people, with approximately 1,900 veterinarians total.
3.4. Maryland (MD): $120,027
Maryland employs approximately 1,700 veterinarians, with about 0.68 veterinarians per 1,000 people.
3.5. Alaska (AK): $117,672
Alaska employs at a slightly higher rate (0.74 per 1,000 people) with only about 220 vets total, because of its low population.
All five states are above the national average of $117,600, according to research. This average is calculated from data from Indeed and ZipRecruiter.
4. Lowest Paying States for Veterinarians
The lowest-paying states for veterinarians are:
- #1: North Carolina: $100,505
- #2: Georgia: $99,455
- #3: Kansas: $99,433
- #4: Wyoming: $97,537
- #5: Kansas (Lowest in the country): $97,422
As a result, the state with the lowest salaries for veterinarians is Kansas, while Hawaii has the highest average salary.
5. U.S. State-by-State Veterinarian Salary Comparison
| State | Average Salary (Indeed data) | Average Salary (ZipRecruiter data) | Real Tax Rate (for this state) |
|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. nationwide | $125,812 | $108,443 | |
| California | $132,988 | $101,470 | 35.7% |
| Texas | $127,120 | $91,941 | 28.4% |
| Florida | $125,554 | $82,318 | 28.4% |
| Tennessee | $118,739 | $100,278 | 28.4% |
| Alabama | $127,287 | $85,020 | 32.2% |
| Alaska | $118,656 | $116,689 | 28.6% |
| Arizona | $135,046 | $97,151 | 30.9% |
| Arkansas | $116,112 | $98,601 | 33.6% |
| Colorado | $117,433 | $103,707 | 32.5% |
| Connecticut | $135,089 | $98,177 | 35.4% |
| Delaware | $132,387 | $101,742 | 33.4% |
| Georgia | $119,197 | $79,714 | 33.4% |
| Hawaii | $141,494 | $124,498 | 35.5% |
| Idaho | $127,130 | $102,879 | 33.8% |
| Illinois | $130,977 | $97,075 | 33% |
| Indiana | $121,128 | $94,148 | 31.4% |
| Iowa | $120,434 | $89,454 | 33.1% |
| Kansas | $113,141 | $85,704 | 33.1% |
| Kentucky | $120,177 | $104,241 | 32.9% |
| Louisiana | $134,258 | $76,572 | 32.6% |
| Maine | $132,686 | $96,475 | 34.2% |
| Maryland | $130,920 | $109,135 | 32.7% |
| Massachusetts | $130,543 | $120,960 | 33.3% |
| Michigan | $120,207 | $96,941 | 32.4% |
| Minnesota | $110,457 | $95,795 | 34.2% |
| Mississippi | $126,186 | $84,528 | 32.7% |
| Missouri | $111,150 | $94,703 | 32.6% |
| Montana | $100,918 | $93,949 | 33.6% |
| Nebraska | $121,260 | $102,446 | 33.8% |
| Nevada | $130,859 | $121,079 | 28.4% |
| New Hampshire | $119,953 | $101,881 | 28.4% |
| New Jersey | $125,837 | $95,572 | 32.1% |
| New Mexico | $138,432 | $85,984 | 32.4% |
| New York | $124,731 | $110,459 | 33.8% |
| North Carolina | $116,630 | $84,380 | 32.9% |
| North Dakota | $98,404 | $115,044 | 29.9% |
| Ohio | $117,137 | $90,344 | 31.4% |
| Oklahoma | $104,633 | $97,354 | 32.6% |
| Oregon | $121,447 | $117,931 | 35.6% |
| Pennsylvania | $124,166 | $90,549 | 31.3% |
| Rhode Island | $118,616 | $118,591 | 33.1% |
| South Carolina | $120,103 | $84,380 | 34.5% |
| South Dakota | $96,280 | $109,696 | 28.4% |
| Utah | $132,280 | $87,378 | 33% |
| Virginia | $127,167 | $105,680 | 33.3% |
| Washington | $129,382 | $112,906 | 28.7% |
| District of Columbia | $133,414 | No data | 34.8% |
| West Virginia | $110,008 | $92,420 | 33.4% |
| Wisconsin | $117,411 | $90,552 | 34% |
| Wyoming | $98,253 | $96,822 | 28.4% |
6. Veterinary Compensation in Major U.S. Cities
In some of the largest and most populous cities, salaries are higher than statewide averages.
In Alexandria, Virginia, the Indeed average median salary for a veterinarian is $135,000, which is higher than the state average of $127,167.
San Francisco (a city as expensive to live in as NYC), has an average median salary for veterinarians in the $126,674 range. The average salary in L.A. is $131,314.00. In Washington DC, the average is $113,993.50. Kansas City has a surprisingly high average of $132,453, compared to Missouri’s average of $99,605.
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9. Veterinary Salaries: Key Insights
According to research, Hawaii has the highest average veterinary salary in the U.S. at $132,996 per year. Kansas has the lowest average veterinarian salary in the U.S., with vets earning an average of $97,422 per year.
Location greatly impacts a veterinarian’s average salary. Also, practice type and years of experience can also influence earnings. An experienced veterinarian usually earns a higher salary. If you are a partner or a private consultant, salaries and bonuses or profit-sharing can boost your take-home earnings.
As a veterinarian, your earning potential is impacted by the flexibility to work in various settings and locations. Your skills are in demand. Whether that means working in private practice, treating farm animals in rural areas, or working for the government.
Consider working at Galaxy Vets if you aren’t happy with your earnings. You’ll receive an equity share for your effort after working here for a certain time.
Dr. Tara McCarthy, Head of Community Engagement at Galaxy Vets:
Dr. Tara McCarthy, Head of Community Engagement at Galaxy Vets
Veterinarians are in high demand and salaries are a hot topic. With so many models of compensation, it is necessary for each person to define what is important to them.
With a priority to reduce burnout and promote better work-life balance, Galaxy Vets will compensate team members without the pressure of production-based salary. Top-of-the-market wage combined with equity and perks to all employees who work 24 hours a week or more will allow each individual veterinarian to design the financial and time freedom that works best for them.
We do not want our employees to work themselves into the ground and burnout. We want them to thrive, make choices that work best for them and create financial freedom for the future with our equity sharing program.
10. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Veterinarian Salaries
Q1: What is the average salary for a veterinarian in the U.S.?
The national average salary for veterinarians in the U.S. is approximately $117,600 per year, but this can vary based on location, experience, and type of practice.
Q2: Which state pays veterinarians the most?
Hawaii is the highest-paying state for veterinarians, with an average salary of around $132,996 per year.
Q3: Which state pays veterinarians the least?
Kansas has the lowest average veterinarian salary in the U.S., with vets earning an average of $97,422 per year.
Q4: How does experience affect a veterinarian’s salary?
As a veterinarian gains more experience, their salary typically increases. Experienced veterinarians, partners in practices, and board-certified vets usually earn higher salaries.
Q5: What type of veterinary practice pays the most?
Veterinarians in commercial practices or those working as consultants often earn the most, with salaries potentially reaching $160,000 or more with sufficient experience.
Q6: How do salaries vary between major U.S. cities?
Salaries in major cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Washington D.C. tend to be higher than statewide averages, reflecting the higher cost of living in these areas.
Q7: What are the typical entry-level salaries for veterinarians?
Entry-level positions in private practice offer a mean salary of around $114,027, while public practice roles average about $87,862.
Q8: What benefits can I expect as a veterinarian at Galaxy Vets?
Galaxy Vets offers top-of-the-market wages, equity sharing programs, and a focus on work-life balance, ensuring financial stability and personal well-being.
Q9: How can HOW.EDU.VN help me with my veterinary career?
how.edu.vn connects you with leading professionals for personalized guidance, expert solutions, and practical advice, helping you navigate the challenges of the veterinary profession.
Q10: Where can I find reliable data on veterinarian salaries?
Reliable data can be found on websites like the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), ZipRecruiter.com, Indeed.com, and professional associations such as the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).
