Veterinarian Salary

Hesperia vs San Francisco: Veterinarian Salary (2026)

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

Hesperia, CA
$168,128
$80.83/hr
San Francisco, CA
$219,649
$105.60/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHesperia, CASan Francisco, CA
Median Salary$168,128$219,649
Hourly Rate$80.83$105.60
Entry Level (P10)$97,514$94,086
25th Percentile$126,702$146,602
75th Percentile$215,203$257,091
Top Earner (P90)$260,598$311,845
Total Employed141,350
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Hesperia ($168,128) and San Francisco ($219,649) veterinarian salaries.HesperiaSan FranciscoMedian Salary$168,128$219,649Entry Level (P10)$97,514$94,086Top Earner (P90)$260,598$311,845US Median $137,334

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Hesperia and San Francisco is $51,521 (30.64%). San Francisco's median is +59.94% 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,San Francisco spans $217,759. San Francisco 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
San Francisco
P10 (Entry)$94,086
P25$146,602
Median$219,649
P75$257,091
P90 (Top)$311,845

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($189,986 effective) pays 27.80% more than Hesperia ($148,654 effective).

Hesperia
Nominal: $168,128
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $148,654
San Francisco
Nominal: $219,649
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $189,986

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 San Francisco if…

  • Higher median salary ($219,649/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($311,845)
  • Larger job market (1,350 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $189,986)
  • 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 85.9% growth in San Francisco over the same period.

Hesperia, CA

+-9.5%

$175,908 (2024) → $159,272 (2025)

San Francisco, CA

+85.9%

$111,950 (2019) → $208,080 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinarians more: Hesperia or San Francisco?

San Francisco has a higher median veterinarian salary at $219,649/year, compared to Hesperia at $168,128/year — a difference of $51,521 (30.64%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Hesperia and San Francisco?

Hesperia veterinarians earn $80.83/hr while San Francisco hygienists earn $105.60/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Hesperia to San Francisco as a veterinarian?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Hesperia and San Francisco. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Hesperia = $148,654, San Francisco = $189,986), job availability (14 vs 1,350 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinarians earn in Hesperia vs San Francisco?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinarians earn $97,514 in Hesperia and $94,086 in San Francisco. The Hesperia area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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