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Veterinary nurse salary
Average veterinary nurse salary
$16.59
Understanding Veterinary Nurse Salaries
The average salary for a veterinary nurse in the United States is $34,511 per year, translating to about $17 per hour. However, this figure can vary widely based on factors such as experience, geographic location, and the type of veterinary practice. For instance, veterinary nurses with several years of experience can earn significantly more, with salaries increasing as they advance in their careers.
Top Paying States for Veterinary Nurses
Some states offer higher salaries than others for veterinary nurses. For example, states like California and New York often provide competitive compensation due to a higher cost of living and demand for skilled veterinary professionals. Additionally, specialized roles within veterinary practices can also command higher salaries.
Salary Estimates by Experience Level
Entry-level veterinary nurses might start at a lower salary, around $16.59 per hour, while those with advanced certifications and specialized skills can earn upwards of $45,000 annually. It's essential for aspiring veterinary nurses to consider these factors when evaluating job opportunities.
Explore various job listings to find positions that align with your skills and aspirations. With the right experience and location, you can find a rewarding career as a veterinary nurse.
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Where can a Veterinary Nurse earn more?
Veterinary nurse salaries by experience level
| Experience level | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|
| Entry-level veterinary nurse | $30,200 | $14.50 |
| Mid-level veterinary nurse | $32,000 | $15.37 |
| Senior-level veterinary nurse | $38,700 | $18.58 |
Veterinary nurse salary estimates from across the web
Average veterinary nurse salary by state
The highest-paying states for veterinary nurses are California, Alaska, and Washington. The lowest average veterinary nurse salary states are Missouri, Oklahoma, and New Mexico.
- State view
- County view
Highest paying states for veterinary nurses
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Washington | $41,260 | $19.84 |
| 2 | Alaska | $42,493 | $20.43 |
| 3 | Nevada | $38,456 | $18.49 |
| 4 | Massachusetts | $37,574 | $18.06 |
| 5 | California | $44,250 | $21.27 |
| 6 | North Dakota | $40,939 | $19.68 |
| 7 | Maine | $37,234 | $17.90 |
| 8 | Nebraska | $35,931 | $17.27 |
| 9 | New Hampshire | $35,456 | $17.05 |
| 10 | Rhode Island | $35,786 | $17.20 |
| 11 | Idaho | $40,205 | $19.33 |
| 12 | Connecticut | $36,740 | $17.66 |
| 13 | Wyoming | $33,931 | $16.31 |
| 14 | Oregon | $38,024 | $18.28 |
| 15 | Arizona | $33,834 | $16.27 |
| 16 | New York | $36,106 | $17.36 |
| 17 | Vermont | $37,334 | $17.95 |
| 18 | Minnesota | $34,312 | $16.50 |
| 19 | Colorado | $34,756 | $16.71 |
| 20 | Maryland | $36,903 | $17.74 |
| 21 | Pennsylvania | $33,713 | $16.21 |
| 22 | Illinois | $33,243 | $15.98 |
| 23 | Delaware | $33,896 | $16.30 |
| 24 | Montana | $31,054 | $14.93 |
| 25 | Michigan | $30,490 | $14.66 |
| 26 | South Dakota | $29,484 | $14.18 |
| 27 | Virginia | $34,930 | $16.79 |
| 28 | Kentucky | $30,720 | $14.77 |
| 29 | Mississippi | $32,990 | $15.86 |
| 30 | Ohio | $31,888 | $15.33 |
| 31 | Hawaii | $33,741 | $16.22 |
| 32 | North Carolina | $30,340 | $14.59 |
| 33 | West Virginia | $31,502 | $15.15 |
| 34 | Wisconsin | $31,151 | $14.98 |
| 35 | New Jersey | $32,369 | $15.56 |
| 36 | Missouri | $28,059 | $13.49 |
| 37 | Indiana | $29,979 | $14.41 |
| 38 | Florida | $28,623 | $13.76 |
| 39 | Kansas | $28,739 | $13.82 |
| 40 | Alabama | $30,032 | $14.44 |
| 41 | District of Columbia | $33,001 | $15.87 |
| 42 | New Mexico | $26,862 | $12.91 |
| 43 | Texas | $28,186 | $13.55 |
| 44 | Tennessee | $28,362 | $13.64 |
| 45 | Iowa | $29,828 | $14.34 |
| 46 | Utah | $28,501 | $13.70 |
| 47 | South Carolina | $28,165 | $13.54 |
| 48 | Oklahoma | $27,206 | $13.08 |
| 49 | Louisiana | $26,431 | $12.71 |
| 50 | Georgia | $25,707 | $12.36 |
| 51 | Arkansas | $24,825 | $11.94 |
Highest paying cities for veterinary nurses
The highest-paying cities for veterinary nurses are San Francisco, CA, Seattle, WA, and Falmouth, MA.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco, CA | $45,800 | $22.02 |
| 2 | Seattle, WA | $41,400 | $19.90 |
| 3 | Falmouth, MA | $37,810 | $18.18 |
| 4 | West Islip, NY | $36,200 | $17.40 |
| 5 | Denver, CO | $34,754 | $16.71 |
| 6 | Philadelphia, PA | $33,698 | $16.20 |
| 7 | Dover, DE | $33,650 | $16.18 |
| 8 | Wausau, WI | $31,869 | $15.32 |
| 9 | Alton, IL | $31,422 | $15.11 |
| 10 | Manhattan, KS | $28,969 | $13.93 |
| 11 | Winter Haven, FL | $28,732 | $13.81 |
| 12 | Atlanta, GA | $25,782 | $12.40 |
| 13 | Sherwood, AR | $24,741 | $11.89 |
Veterinary nurse salary details
A veterinary nurse's salary ranges from $26,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $44,000 at the 90th percentile.
What is a veterinary nurse's salary?
| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $44,000 | $3,667 | $21 |
| 75th Percentile | $39,000 | $3,250 | $19 |
| Average | $34,511 | $2,876 | $17 |
| 25th Percentile | $30,000 | $2,500 | $14 |
| 10th Percentile | $26,000 | $2,167 | $13 |
Highest paying veterinary nurse jobs
The highest paying types of veterinary nurses are head nurse, registered nurse, and triage nurse.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Animal Technician | $31,378 | $2,615 | $15.09 | 39,917 |
| Laboratory Animal Technician | $30,382 | $2,532 | $14.61 | 63,768 |
| Animal Health Technician | $37,267 | $3,106 | $17.92 | 89,376 |
| Surgery Technician | $41,646 | $3,470 | $20.02 | 83,376 |
| Nurse | $57,564 | $4,797 | $27.67 | 696,124 |
| Office Nurse | $58,587 | $4,882 | $28.17 | 278,856 |
Top companies hiring veterinary nurses now:
Which companies pay veterinary nurses the most?
Veterinary nurse salaries at CVS Health and VCA Animal Hospitals are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average veterinary nurse salary at companies like VetCor and University of Pennsylvania are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CVS Health | $37,821 | $18.18 |
| 2 | VCA Animal Hospitals | $37,418 | $17.99 |
| 3 | VetCor | $35,642 | $17.14 |
| 4 | University of Pennsylvania | $33,203 | $15.96 |
| 5 | Kansas State University | $24,807 | $11.93 |
Wage gap by gender, race and education
Veterinary nurse salary trends
The average veterinary nurse salary has risen by $5,825 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average veterinary nurse earned $28,686 annually, but today, they earn $34,511 a year. That works out to a 12% change in pay for veterinary nurses over the last decade.
Compare veterinary nurse salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Average veterinary nurse salary over time
Compare veterinary nurse salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
Veterinary nurse salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $34,500 | $16.59 | +2.6% |
| 2024 | $33,600 | $16.16 | +2.5% |
| 2023 | $32,800 | $15.75 | +3.0% |
| 2022 | $31,800 | $15.28 | +2.7% |
| 2021 | $30,900 | $14.87 | +2.1% |
Recently added veterinary nurse salaries
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Cod Veterinary Specialists | Overnight Surgery Ward Veterinary Nurse | South Dennis, MA | 06/20/2025 | $39,653 |
| Peachtree Hills Animal Hospital | Veterinary Nurse | Atlanta, GA | 06/19/2025 | $31,305 |
| Veterinary Nurse II | Veterinary Nurse II-Small Animal Surgery | Lane, KS | 05/22/2025 | $40,237 |
| Kansas State University | VET Nurse II-Small Animal Emergency | Manhattan, KS | 05/13/2025 | $40,237 |
| University of Tennessee | Veterinary Nurse/Veterinary Technician Supervisor, Lacs, College of Veterinary Medicine: Utia | Knoxville, TN | 05/09/2025 | $59,302 |
| University of Wisconsin Madison | Veterinary Nurse: Emergency & Critical Care | Madison, WI | 05/08/2025 | $48,001 |
| Cape Cod Veterinary Specialists | Overnight Surgery Ward Veterinary Nurse | South Dennis, MA | 05/08/2025 | $39,653 |
| Peachtree Hills Animal Hospital | Veterinary Nurse | Atlanta, GA | 04/28/2025 | $31,305 |
| Kansas State University | Veterinary Nurse II: Urgent Care | Manhattan, KS | 04/26/2025 | $36,836 |
| University of Pennsylvania | Neurology Veterinary Nurse | Philadelphia, PA | 04/16/2025 | $40,634 |
Veterinary nurse salary FAQs
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