Based on the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data — updated August 12, 2026.
| California | National | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median annual salary | $163,920 | $132,782 | +23% |
| Median hourly wage | $78.81 | $63.84 | +23% |
Adjusted for local price levels (100 = national average), the cost-adjusted median is $148,076.
| City | Median | Entry Level | Experienced | Cost of Living |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| City-level data coming soon. | ||||
The median annual salary for a Veterinarian in California is $163,920, or about $78.81 per hour, according to BLS OEWS data.
The national median for Veterinarians is $132,782. California is +23% above the national median.
Entry-level veterinarians in California typically earn from varies by experience depending on the city and employer.
With 9,170 veterinarian jobs on record and a median salary of $163,920, California offers above-average pay compared to the rest of the country.