Explore national salary, projected growth, education requirements, and career opportunities across the United States.
A concise view of this occupation’s national scale, compensation, and projected demand.
National median annual wage for this occupation.
Estimated jobs currently supported nationwide.
Projected employment change through 2034.
Estimated openings created each year.
The typical education, prior experience, and on-the-job training associated with entry into this career.
Doctoral or professional degree
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These are the highest-rated capabilities associated with success in this occupation. Scores are derived from occupational skill analysis and are measured on a 100-point scale.
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Explore the states and metropolitan areas offering the strongest combination of salary, employment, demand, and long-term opportunity.
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Understand the salary, outlook, education, and geographic opportunities shaping this career.
Veterinarians care for animal health while working within a professional environment that requires strong analytical, interpersonal, and communication abilities. Nationally, there are 86,000 veterinarians, with a projected employment growth rate of 9.6%. This growth, combined with 3,000 annual openings, points to a steady flow of opportunities over time. The national median annual salary is $125,510, with some states and metro areas offering higher typical pay. Success in this career draws on problem solving and decision making, science, mathematics, and critical and analytical thinking, supported by strong customer service and interpersonal skills for working with clients. Detail orientation, adaptability, and solid writing and reading skills are also important, along with leadership capabilities. Overall, the role offers a blend of scientific work, client interaction, and professional responsibility, supported by a doctoral or professional degree and a skill set that balances technical knowledge with people-focused strengths.
Veterinarians earn a national median annual salary of $125,510, with earning potential varying by location. Among the top states by opportunity score, median salaries range from $130,840 in Colorado to $163,920 in California, with Washington also relatively high at $160,510. In Massachusetts and New York, median salaries are $140,260 and $131,830, respectively. At the metro level, pay can be even higher. The San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro shows a median salary of $208,080, and San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA reports $192,160. The New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ metro has a median of $156,150, while Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH have median salaries of $154,350 and $138,900. These figures suggest that veterinarians who are flexible about location, especially in certain metros and states, may access higher typical pay levels.
Veterinarians have a national employment level of 86,000, with projected employment growth of 9.6%. This growth rate, combined with 3,000 annual openings, indicates ongoing demand for new professionals entering or moving within the field. The same 9.6% projected growth rate appears in the highlighted top states and metro areas, suggesting consistency between national and regional outlooks in these locations. Annual openings reflect a mix of new positions and replacement needs, providing multiple entry points over time for recent graduates and experienced practitioners. For career planners, the combination of an established workforce size, a defined growth rate, and a steady number of openings can support long-term planning for education, relocation, or career advancement within the profession. While conditions can differ by area, the overall quantitative picture points to a profession with measurable, sustained employment activity.
Location plays a significant role in career planning for veterinarians, with notable differences across leading states and metro areas. Among the top states by opportunity score, California stands out with a median salary of $163,920 and employment of 9,170. Washington shows a median salary of $160,510 with 2,390 employed, while Massachusetts and New York offer median salaries of $140,260 and $131,830 and employment levels of 1,920 and 3,390, respectively. Colorado combines a median salary of $130,840 with 2,340 employed. All of these states share a 9.6% growth rate. At the metro level, the San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA and New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ areas have the highest opportunity scores, 77.42 and 77.27, with median salaries of $192,160 and $156,150. The San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA metro offers a median of $208,080, the highest among the listed metros. Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV and Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH also provide sizeable employment and competitive median pay, giving veterinarians multiple high-opportunity regions to consider.
Veterinarians typically need a doctoral or professional degree, reflecting the advanced scientific and professional preparation required for this career. The role’s skill profile highlights the importance of problem solving and decision making, science, and mathematics, underscoring the technical and analytical demands of the work. Critical and analytical thinking, combined with a strong detail-oriented approach, supports accurate judgments and careful execution in professional settings. At the same time, veterinarians interact extensively with clients, making customer service and interpersonal skills essential. Writing and reading abilities help with clear communication and documentation, while adaptability supports work in varied situations. Leadership skills are also important, as veterinarians may guide teams, set standards, or influence decisions in their workplace. Together, the educational requirement and skill set indicate that this is a career suited to individuals prepared for advanced study and capable of blending scientific expertise with strong people and communication skills.
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