Veterinarian Salaries: Animal Medicine Compensation by State

Veterinarians hold Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degrees — a 4-year professional doctorate — and provide medical and surgical care for animals. The profession spans companion animal (small animal) practice, large animal and food animal medicine, specialty/referral practice, and industry/government roles.

National Wage Overview

Veterinarian wages rank among the top professional occupations in BLS data. The doctoral requirement and licensure process support strong wages, though veterinarians historically have earned less than comparable human medicine practitioners. Browse wages in the Healthcare Practitioners group.

Specialty vs. General Practice

Board-certified veterinary specialists — cardiologists, oncologists, surgeons — earn substantially more than general practitioners. Specialty and emergency referral practices charge premium prices for their services and can afford to pay specialists accordingly. The gap between general practice and specialty wages in veterinary medicine mirrors the gap in human medicine.

Companion Animal vs. Large Animal

Small animal (companion) veterinarians have the largest employment volume. Large animal practitioners — serving cattle, horses, and swine operations — often work in rural areas with strong demand but challenging conditions. The shortage of large animal vets in agricultural states has pushed wages up in some markets.

Highest-Paying States

Texas, California, and New York typically rank among the top states for veterinarian wages. Browse all states on WageDepth.