Veterinarian Salary

Oxnard vs San Francisco: Veterinarian Salary (2026)

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

Oxnard, CA
$167,640
$80.60/hr
San Francisco, CA
$219,649
$105.60/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricOxnard, CASan Francisco, CA
Median Salary$167,640$219,649
Hourly Rate$80.60$105.60
Entry Level (P10)$67,126$94,086
25th Percentile$113,857$146,602
75th Percentile$224,452$257,091
Top Earner (P90)$295,631$311,845
Total Employed2901,350
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Oxnard ($167,640) and San Francisco ($219,649) veterinarian salaries.OxnardSan FranciscoMedian Salary$167,640$219,649Entry Level (P10)$67,126$94,086Top Earner (P90)$295,631$311,845US Median $137,334

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Oxnard and San Francisco is $52,009 (31.02%). 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 Oxnard spans $228,505,San Francisco spans $217,759. Oxnard has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Oxnard
P10 (Entry)$67,126
P25$113,857
Median$167,640
P75$224,452
P90 (Top)$295,631
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 25.27% more than Oxnard ($151,664 effective).

Oxnard
Nominal: $167,640
CoL Index: 110.534
Adjusted: $151,664
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 Oxnard 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 Oxnard grew 58.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 85.9% growth in San Francisco over the same period.

Oxnard, CA

+58.6%

$100,150 (2019) → $158,810 (2025)

San Francisco, CA

+85.9%

$111,950 (2019) → $208,080 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinarians more: Oxnard or San Francisco?

San Francisco has a higher median veterinarian salary at $219,649/year, compared to Oxnard at $167,640/year — a difference of $52,009 (31.02%).

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

Oxnard veterinarians earn $80.60/hr while San Francisco hygienists earn $105.60/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Oxnard and San Francisco. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Oxnard = $151,664, San Francisco = $189,986), job availability (290 vs 1,350 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinarians earn $67,126 in Oxnard and $94,086 in San Francisco. The San Francisco 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