Veterinarians in the US earn a median of $130,100 a year in base pay. The middle half earn between $101,460 and $166,120, and the top 10% earn more than $215,700 (BLS OEWS May 2025). To negotiate, aim for the part of that range that matches your experience — with 3–5 years, for example, $130,000 to $166,000 — and open slightly above it.
How much do veterinarians make?
| Percentile | Annual base pay |
|---|---|
| 10th | $73,920 |
| 25th | $101,460 |
| Median | $130,100 |
| 75th | $166,120 |
| 90th | $215,700 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS May 2025 — Veterinarians, national, about 83,900 jobs. BLS figures are base pay including commissions and production bonuses; they exclude year-end bonuses, stock, overtime and benefits.
Where veterinarians earn the most
| State | Median | 75th percentile |
|---|---|---|
| California | $163,920 | $211,840 |
| Maryland | $163,170 | $189,450 |
| Washington | $160,510 | $197,370 |
| New Jersey | $160,140 | $202,930 |
| Arizona | $152,020 | $205,030 |
Pay also differs within a state — big metro areas often pay more. Use your state's numbers when you set your target.
What should you ask for as a veterinarian?
| Experience | Suggested target range | Open with about |
|---|---|---|
| 0–2 years | $101,000–$130,000 | $137,000 |
| 3–5 years | $130,000–$166,000 | $174,000 |
| 6–10 years | $145,000–$183,000 | $192,000 |
| 10+ years | $166,000–$216,000 | $227,000 |
The ranges follow national percentiles by experience (25th–50th, 50th–75th, 60th–80th, 75th–90th); the opening number is the top of the range plus about 5%, rounded. Guidance, not a guarantee — check your state and experience, and see how to negotiate salary.
What drives veterinarian pay?
Veterinarians diagnose and treat animals in companion-animal, emergency, specialty, mixed or large-animal practice. Offers often combine a base salary with production pay (a percentage of what you bill), so the structure of the deal matters as much as the number.
- Base salary versus ProSal (production with a base guarantee).
- Practice type: general, emergency, specialty, corporate or independent.
- Emergency shifts, on-call and weekend coverage.
- CE allowance, licensing fees, and student-loan support.
Your leverage as a veterinarian
- Production history from a previous practice.
- Surgical skills or a special interest the practice wants to offer.
- Willingness to cover emergencies, weekends or a second location.
- Client retention and reviews you've built.
- Licenses in the states the practice operates in.
Only use leverage you really have. Never invent a competing offer.
Veterinarian objections and how to answer
| They say | You can say |
|---|---|
| “Our associates are paid on production.” | “What production percentage and base guarantee are you offering, and what did associates earn last year?” |
| “New grads start at a standard salary.” | “Could we add a mentorship plan and a review at six months?” |
| “We can't offer more CE.” | “Then could we look at a sign-on bonus or student-loan support?” |
| “Emergency shifts are part of everyone's schedule.” | “How many per month, and are they paid extra?” |
Sample counter offer for a veterinarian
Thank you — I'm excited about the practice. Based on my [number] years and production of [amount], I'm asking for a base guarantee of [number] with [percentage]% production, plus [amount] CE. The national median for veterinarians is $130,100.
Then stop talking and let them respond.
Asking for a raise as a veterinarian
Bring production numbers, services you added and client retention. On ProSal, ask to review the percentage when your production grows.