These Are The 10 Highest Veterinarian Salaries By State

The 10 Highest Veterinarian Salaries by State in 2026

In today’s job market, salary remains a crucial factor for professionals, and this is especially true for veterinarians. Understanding how much veterinarians earn in different states is essential for those considering this rewarding career path.

While individual salaries can vary based on factors like experience and location, we have compiled comprehensive data on average veterinarian salaries across the United States, categorized by state and seniority level. Although your local salary may differ from the state average, these figures provide valuable insight into potential earnings.

Using the most recent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, we analyzed average veterinarian pay across states. Furthermore, we adjusted these salaries based on the cost of living, recognizing that a salary in North Carolina stretches further than in California.

The state offering the highest adjusted salary for veterinarians is Oklahoma. Below is a snapshot of the top ten states for veterinarian salaries:

Let’s delve deeper into how these salaries were determined and provide a complete ranking of all states.

How We Determined Veterinarian Pay by State

To compile our findings, we utilized average annual salary data for veterinarians from the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics reports, focusing on their “Occupational Employment Statistics.”

In our analysis, we accounted for the cost of living in each state to ensure a fair comparison. We calculated an index by dividing the average salary of each state by its cost of living relative to the national average. For instance, with a cost of living index of 135.9 in California and an average salary of $114,870, the adjusted value becomes:

$114,870 * (100 / 135.9) = $84,525

We then ranked each state based on this adjusted salary index, identifying the state with the highest ranking as offering the best salary for veterinarians.

Here’s a detailed breakdown of veterinarian salaries across all states.

Detailed List of Veterinarian Salaries by State

Rank	State	Adjusted Salary	Average Wage	Cost of Living
1	Oklahoma	$119,091	$106,230	89.2
2	Hawaii	$118,284	$198,600	167.9
3	Wyoming	$115,664	$106,180	91.8
4	Pennsylvania	$111,390	$112,950	101.4
5	Texas	$110,121	$99,880	90.7
6	Virginia	$106,964	$107,820	100.8
7	Michigan	$106,651	$94,920	89.0
8	North Carolina	$105,985	$99,520	93.9
9	New Jersey	$104,290	$127,130	121.9
10	Rhode Island	$103,728	$125,200	120.7
11	Indiana	$103,664	$92,780	89.5
12	Delaware	$101,360	$102,780	101.4
13	Idaho	$100,206	$92,290	92.1
14	Mississippi	$99,476	$85,450	85.9
15	Iowa	$98,923	$90,020	91.0
16	New Mexico	$98,601	$95,150	96.5
17	Connecticut	$98,379	$125,630	127.7
18	Florida	$97,711	$96,050	98.3
19	Missouri	$97,621	$88,250	90.4
20	Arkansas	$97,278	$84,730	87.1
21	Kentucky	$96,044	$86,920	90.5
22	Arizona	$94,591	$92,700	98.0
23	Georgia	$94,573	$86,440	91.4
24	Tennessee	$94,519	$84,500	89.4
25	New York	$94,389	$123,650	131.0
26	Ohio	$94,339	$88,490	93.8
27	Illinois	$94,270	$89,180	94.6
28	Utah	$93,989	$87,410	93.0
29	Wisconsin	$93,326	$90,340	96.8
30	South Carolina	$92,207	$91,470	99.2
31	West Virginia	$90,438	$84,470	93.4
32	Maryland	$90,143	$113,130	125.5
33	Louisiana	$89,462	$84,810	94.8
34	Nevada	$89,012	$91,950	103.3
35	Washington	$86,986	$91,510	105.2
36	Maine	$86,850	$96,230	110.8
37	North Dakota	$85,824	$85,310	99.4
38	Alabama	$85,526	$78,000	91.2
39	South Dakota	$85,159	$88,310	103.7
40	California	$84,525	$114,870	135.9
41	Nebraska	$84,508	$77,410	91.6
42	Massachusetts	$83,988	$112,040	133.4
43	Colorado	$83,930	$87,120	103.8
44	New Hampshire	$83,324	$97,490	117.0
45	Minnesota	$82,331	$82,990	100.8
46	Kansas	$80,322	$72,210	89.9
47	Vermont	$76,110	$92,170	121.1
48	Montana	$72,628	$73,210	100.8
49	Alaska	$71,746	$94,060	131.1
50	Oregon	$69,238	$80,040	115.6

In conclusion, understanding the landscape of veterinarian salaries across different states is vital for aspiring veterinarians. As the industry continues to evolve, staying informed about salary trends will help you make well-informed decisions regarding your career path in veterinary medicine.

Never miss an opportunity that’s right for you.

Author

Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.

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