Veterinary pay

Veterinarian salary

The median veterinarian in the United States earned $130,100 a year, or $62.55 an hour. The lowest ten percent earned less than $73,920 and the highest ten percent earned more than $215,700. Those are Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2025 figures for veterinarians, occupation code 29-1131.

$130,100Median a year
$62.55Median an hour
+9%Projected 2025 to 2035

What moves this number

This section is BEGHR's read from recruiting the role, not Bureau of Labor Statistics data. The figures above are BLS. This part is us.

What the single figure hides

The same code covers a new graduate in a two-doctor practice and a boarded specialist running a referral service. That is why the gap between the bottom and top ten percent is roughly $141,780 wide.

Credentials

A DVM or VMD plus an active state licence is the floor. Board certification in a specialty is the single clearest step into the upper part of the range.

The source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, May 2025 estimates for veterinarians (occupation code 29-1131). Employment 91,100 in 2025. Projected change 9 percent, 2025 to 2035, which BLS labels “Much faster than average”. That BLS page was last modified October 29, 2026.

View the BLS page for this occupation

Common questions

What is the median veterinarian salary?

$130,100 a year, or $62.55 an hour, in the United States. That is the Bureau of Labor Statistics May 2025 figure for veterinarians, occupation code 29-1131. Median means half earned more and half earned less.

What is the range?

BLS reports that the lowest ten percent earned less than $73,920 and the highest ten percent earned more than $215,700. Those are not a minimum and a maximum, they are the points where the bottom and top tenth of the occupation sit.

Is this figure veterinary-specific?

Yes. BLS publishes veterinarians as its own occupation, code 29-1131.

What is the job outlook?

BLS projects 9 percent growth from 2025 to 2035, which it labels "Much faster than average". Employment was 91,100 in 2025.

Does BEGHR charge me to find a role?

No. The employer pays the placement fee. BEGHR never charges a candidate at any stage.

Other veterinary roles

All four roles side by side

Ready?

What a specific role pays is a conversation.

Send your resume once and a recruiter checks it against the veterinary searches actually running, and tells you the compensation structure before you decide anything. Nothing reaches an employer until you say so.

Submit your resume