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Veterinarians average salary by city in California
- San Francisco$195,160
- San Jose$192,030
- Sacramento$177,250
- Santa Rosa$171,160
- Santa Cruz$170,430
- Napa$168,500
- Riverside$168,240
- Vallejo$165,130
- Los Angeles$164,460
- San Diego$163,070
- Salinas$162,530
- Oxnard$162,150
- Bakersfield$160,850
- Modesto$159,470
- Chico$157,360
- Stockton$155,980
- Santa Maria$155,510
- Redding$154,710
- Fresno$153,870
- Visalia$152,680
- San Luis Obispo$152,630
Pay, take-home pay and cost of living
| City | Average | Median | 25th pct. | Take-home* | Cost of living |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco | $195,160 | $208,080 | $138,880 | $131,261 | 116 |
| San Jose | $192,030 | $192,160 | $131,920 | $129,219 | 110 |
| Sacramento | $177,250 | $165,260 | $127,660 | $120,024 | 107 |
| Santa Rosa | $171,160 | $158,770 | $120,310 | $116,428 | 108 |
| Santa Cruz | $170,430 | $164,820 | $122,550 | $115,997 | 110 |
| Napa | $168,500 | $172,600 | $129,390 | $114,857 | 113 |
| Riverside | $168,240 | $160,860 | $124,650 | $114,704 | 106 |
| Vallejo | $165,130 | $157,710 | $127,160 | $112,867 | 108 |
| Los Angeles | $164,460 | $160,080 | $121,590 | $112,472 | 114 |
| San Diego | $163,070 | $159,750 | $124,530 | $111,651 | 112 |
| Salinas | $162,530 | $163,080 | $117,210 | $111,332 | 109 |
| Oxnard | $162,150 | $158,810 | $107,860 | $111,108 | 111 |
| Bakersfield | $160,850 | $150,780 | $118,130 | $110,340 | 101 |
| Modesto | $159,470 | $162,160 | $123,680 | $109,525 | 104 |
| Chico | $157,360 | $160,180 | $105,920 | $108,279 | 101 |
| Stockton | $155,980 | $144,020 | $108,540 | $107,464 | 105 |
| Santa Maria | $155,510 | $158,840 | $113,630 | $107,187 | 109 |
| Redding | $154,710 | $159,010 | $125,490 | $106,714 | 101 |
| Fresno | $153,870 | $157,460 | $116,830 | $106,218 | 102 |
| Visalia | $152,680 | $133,370 | $112,130 | $105,516 | 100 |
| San Luis Obispo | $152,630 | $151,990 | $122,990 | $105,486 | 109 |
*Average salary after federal and state taxes for a single filer; California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included. Cost of living: BEA price parity, U.S. = 100.
Veterinarians salary in other states
More about pay in California
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 29-1131.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
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