Veterinarians Salary in Santa Cruz, CA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Median annual salary $161,370 +28.6% vs national
Median hourly $77.58
10th percentile $79,940
90th percentile —
Employed locally 120
National median $125,510

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Veterinarians
in
Santa Cruz, CA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $79,940
    25th
    $118,250
    50th (median)
    $161,370
    75th
    $218,970

    Santa Cruz economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.90% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $109,266 2023 • Census ACS
    Veterinarians salary vs area income 148% Median Veterinarians salary is 48% 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 Santa Cruz, CA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Registered Nurses$178,900
    Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$79,580
    Pharmacy Technicians$49,420
    Physicians, All Other$305,610
    Nurse Practitioners$159,090
    Dental Hygienists$127,120

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Veterinarians make per hour in Santa Cruz?

    The median hourly wage for Veterinarians in Santa Cruz, CA is $77.58, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $143.67 or more per hour.

    Is Santa Cruz above or below average for Veterinarians salaries?

    The median Veterinarians salary in Santa Cruz, CA is 28.6% 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 Santa Cruz?

    Entry-level Veterinarians (10th percentile) earn around $79,940 per year in Santa Cruz, CA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $118,250.