Veterinarians Salary in San Diego, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA

Median annual salary $158,260 +26.1% vs national
Median hourly $76.09
10th percentile $84,760
90th percentile —
Employed locally 1,000
National median $125,510

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Type a city below to see how San Diego, CA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

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Veterinarians
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San Diego, CA
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $84,760
    25th
    $122,700
    50th (median)
    $158,260
    75th
    $213,340

    San Diego economic context

    Unemployment rate 4.30% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $102,285 2023 • Census ACS
    Veterinarians salary vs area income 155% Median Veterinarians salary is 55% above the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Veterinarians

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $187,990
    Napa, CA $179,080
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $175,050
    Salinas, CA $168,330
    Burlington-South Burlington, VT $165,060
    Anchorage, AK $164,220

    Nearby metros — Veterinarians salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA $187,990
    Napa, CA $179,080
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $175,050
    Salinas, CA $168,330
    Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA $163,380
    Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA $162,040

    Related occupations in San Diego, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses$133,090
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$77,280
    Physicians, All Other$323,050
    Pharmacy Technicians$49,540
    Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians$70,240
    Pharmacists$163,860

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Veterinarians make per hour in San Diego?

    The median hourly wage for Veterinarians in San Diego, CA is $76.09, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $132.80 or more per hour.

    Is San Diego above or below average for Veterinarians salaries?

    The median Veterinarians salary in San Diego, CA is 26.1% above the national median of $125,510. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Veterinarians in San Diego?

    Entry-level Veterinarians (10th percentile) earn around $84,760 per year in San Diego, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $122,700.