National and state-by-state median wages · BLS OEWS data · Updated September 10, 2026
| # | State | Median Annual Salary | vs. National | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | $163,920 | ▲ 23% | 9,170 |
| 2 | Maryland | $163,170 | ▲ 23% | 1,430 |
| 3 | Washington | $160,510 | ▲ 21% | 2,390 |
| 4 | New Jersey | $160,140 | ▲ 21% | 1,910 |
| 5 | Arizona | $152,020 | ▲ 14% | 2,080 |
| 6 | Massachusetts | $140,260 | ▲ 6% | 1,920 |
| 7 | District of Columbia | $134,530 | ▲ 1% | 190 |
| 8 | Illinois | $133,580 | ▲ 1% | 2,330 |
| 9 | Pennsylvania | $133,520 | ▲ 1% | 3,490 |
| 10 | Minnesota | $133,110 | ▲ 0% | 2,140 |
| 11 | New York | $131,830 | ▼ 1% | 3,390 |
| 12 | Vermont | $131,820 | ▼ 1% | 280 |
| 13 | Florida | $131,660 | ▼ 1% | 5,360 |
| 14 | Texas | $131,330 | ▼ 1% | 6,270 |
| 15 | Colorado | $130,840 | ▼ 1% | 2,340 |
| 16 | Maine | $130,600 | ▼ 2% | 600 |
| 17 | Hawaii | $130,120 | ▼ 2% | 370 |
| 18 | New Mexico | $129,390 | ▼ 3% | 460 |
| 19 | North Carolina | $129,240 | ▼ 3% | 2,940 |
| 20 | West Virginia | $128,990 | ▼ 3% | 390 |
| 21 | Oregon | $128,880 | ▼ 3% | 1,660 |
| 22 | New Hampshire | $128,190 | ▼ 3% | 650 |
| 23 | Virginia | $126,730 | ▼ 5% | 2,700 |
| 24 | Georgia | $126,590 | ▼ 5% | 2,670 |
| 25 | Rhode Island | $126,570 | ▼ 5% | 430 |
| 26 | Connecticut | $126,190 | ▼ 5% | 950 |
| 27 | Nevada | $125,550 | ▼ 5% | 680 |
| 28 | Michigan | $125,390 | ▼ 6% | 2,030 |
| 29 | Ohio | $125,060 | ▼ 6% | 3,430 |
| 30 | Iowa | $124,610 | ▼ 6% | 1,000 |
| 31 | Indiana | $124,530 | ▼ 6% | 1,500 |
| 32 | Louisiana | $124,370 | ▼ 6% | 950 |
| 33 | Tennessee | $124,350 | ▼ 6% | 1,730 |
| 34 | Utah | $123,990 | ▼ 7% | 640 |
| 35 | South Carolina | $122,130 | ▼ 8% | 1,380 |
| 36 | Idaho | $116,170 | ▼ 13% | 540 |
| 37 | Missouri | $114,660 | ▼ 14% | 1,920 |
| 38 | Wisconsin | $108,780 | ▼ 18% | 1,830 |
| 39 | Arkansas | $107,710 | ▼ 19% | 540 |
| 40 | Kansas | $107,080 | ▼ 19% | 1,000 |
| 41 | Alabama | $105,630 | ▼ 20% | 1,020 |
| 42 | Mississippi | $105,370 | ▼ 21% | 480 |
| 43 | Kentucky | $104,100 | ▼ 22% | 1,190 |
| 44 | Nebraska | $103,500 | ▼ 22% | 780 |
| 45 | North Dakota | $102,180 | ▼ 23% | 270 |
| 46 | Montana | $99,390 | ▼ 25% | 510 |
| 47 | Oklahoma | $98,090 | ▼ 26% | 1,150 |
| 48 | Wyoming | $97,240 | ▼ 27% | 140 |
| 49 | South Dakota | $88,650 | ▼ 33% | 280 |
The national median annual salary for veterinarians is $132,782, about $63.84 per hour, according to BLS OEWS data.
California tops the list at $163,920 per year.
South Dakota has the lowest median at $88,650.
At the national median, veterinarians earn about $63.84 per hour (based on a 2,080-hour work year).
The table above shows total jobs per state; states with the largest numbers of veterinarians include California.