Veterinarian Salary

Hesperia vs Los Angeles: Veterinarian Salary (2026)

Compare veterinarian salaries between Hesperia, CA and Los Angeles, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Hesperia, CA
$168,128
$80.83/hr
Los Angeles, CA
$168,980
$81.24/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHesperia, CALos Angeles, CA
Median Salary$168,128$168,980
Hourly Rate$80.83$81.24
Entry Level (P10)$97,514$71,158
25th Percentile$126,702$128,350
75th Percentile$215,203$223,882
Top Earner (P90)$260,598$299,843
Total Employed142,740
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Hesperia ($168,128) and Los Angeles ($168,980) veterinarian salaries.HesperiaLos AngelesMedian Salary$168,128$168,980Entry Level (P10)$97,514$71,158Top Earner (P90)$260,598$299,843US Median $137,334

Verdict

Los Angeles, CA offers better overall compensation for veterinarians, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Hesperia.

The salary gap between Hesperia and Los Angeles is $852 (0.51%). Los Angeles's median is +23.04% compared to the US national median of $137,334.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Hesperia spans $163,084,Los Angeles spans $228,685. Los Angeles has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinarians.

Hesperia
P10 (Entry)$97,514
P25$126,702
Median$168,128
P75$215,203
P90 (Top)$260,598
Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$71,158
P25$128,350
Median$168,980
P75$223,882
P90 (Top)$299,843

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Los Angeles ($148,795 effective) pays 0.09% more than Hesperia ($148,654 effective).

Hesperia
Nominal: $168,128
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $148,654
Los Angeles
Nominal: $168,980
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $148,795

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Hesperia if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Higher median salary ($168,980/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($299,843)
  • Larger job market (2,740 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $148,795)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinarian salaries in Hesperia grew -9.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 54.1% growth in Los Angeles over the same period.

Hesperia, CA

+-9.5%

$175,908 (2024) → $159,272 (2025)

Los Angeles, CA

+54.1%

$103,870 (2019) → $160,080 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinarians more: Hesperia or Los Angeles?

Los Angeles has a higher median veterinarian salary at $168,980/year, compared to Hesperia at $168,128/year — a difference of $852 (0.51%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Hesperia and Los Angeles?

Hesperia veterinarians earn $80.83/hr while Los Angeles hygienists earn $81.24/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Hesperia to Los Angeles as a veterinarian?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Hesperia and Los Angeles. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Hesperia = $148,654, Los Angeles = $148,795), job availability (14 vs 2,740 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinarians earn in Hesperia vs Los Angeles?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinarians earn $97,514 in Hesperia and $71,158 in Los Angeles. The Hesperia area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

AN

Written by Dr. Alice Nguyen, DVM

Career Analyst

Dr. Alice Nguyen has 10 years of experience in veterinary medicine. She specializes in small animal surgery. She currently works at a suburban veterinary clinic.

Clinically reviewed by Dr. Samuel Patel, DVMData verified by Dr. Maria Gomez, DVM

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.56% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Dr. Alice Nguyen, DVM, a licensed veterinarian with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov