Veterinarian Salary in Alhambra, CA: $166,164 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Alhambra, CA earns a median $166,164/year (≈ $79.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Alhambra's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $146,918 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Veterinarians in Alhambra, California are projected to earn a median annual salary of $166,164 in 2026, reflecting a strong local market for veterinary professionals. This figure is notably higher than the national median for the occupation, which stands at $137,334, marking a 20.99% premium in pay for those practicing in this city. The salary landscape ranges from $100,419 at the 10th percentile to a cap of $257,555 at the 90th percentile, indicative of varying levels of experience and specialization. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, accounting for state-level variances and regional cost adjustments. As the field continues to evolve, veterinarians with specialty board certifications in areas such as surgery, internal medicine, and emergency care are likely to see even more significant compensation packages due to their high demand in the local job market.
About the Alhambra Market
Salary estimated from California average ($156,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $100,419 | $48.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $132,847 | $63.86 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $166,164 | $79.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $208,300 | $100.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $257,555 | $123.82 |
Median Salary Position
20.99% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Alhambra
In Alhambra, CA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $157,136 (2026 est.). At $166,164, the local median is 20.99% above the national median of $137,334.
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At 40 hours/week in Alhambra: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Alhambra Veterinarian Pay Compares
Alhambra median: $166,164/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Alhambra Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $168,695 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | +20.99% more |
Veterinarians in Alhambra, CA earn a median of $166,164 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.99% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 1.50% below the California state average of $168,695.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Alhambra has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Alhambra, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $166,164 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $146,918 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$115,500
2025 BLS Actual
$157,412
2026 Current Est.
$166,164
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Alhambra (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $115,500 | Actual |
| 2020 | $120,086 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,441 | Actual |
| 2022 | $124,937 | Actual |
| 2023 | $144,103 | Actual |
| 2024 | $173,854 | Actual |
| 2025 | $157,412 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $166,164 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $175,403 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Alhambra metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $115,500 (2019) to $157,412 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $175,403 by 2027 — a total increase of $59,903 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Alhambra metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.56% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $100,419 – $132,847 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $132,847 – $166,164 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $166,164 – $208,300 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $208,300 – $257,555 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Alhambra
The job market in Alhambra is bolstered by a small but focused pool of 13 veterinarians currently employed in the area. Given the cost of living index at 113.1, the purchasing power for veterinarians in Alhambra can be notably affected. Larger corporate entities like VCA and BluePearl, which constitute about 25% of the local market, offer competitive salaries, while independent practices may lag behind in compensation. The disparity in veterinarian pay in Alhambra reflects several factors, including the prevalence of specialty training, production-based compensation models, and potential sign-on bonuses of $50,000 to $150,000 for new graduates in high-demand fields. To maximize earning potential, veterinarians should consider pursuing specialty certifications, exploring employment with corporate chains, and leveraging equity offers through ownership opportunities. Understanding this local context can significantly impact how much veterinarians make in Alhambra, CA.
More salary data for Alhambra, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $157,412 for veterinariansin the Alhambra metropolitan area. A 5.56% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Alhambra is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.56%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for veterinarians (SOC 29-1131).
Compiled and verified by Dr. Alice Nguyen, DVM, a licensed veterinarian with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov