Veterinarian Salary in Apple Valley, CA: $167,527 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Apple Valley, CA earns a median $167,527/year (≈ $80.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Apple Valley's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $148,123 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Veterinarians in Apple Valley, California, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $167,527 in 2026, reflecting a competitive edge when compared to the national median of $137,334. The local salary range spans from $97,166 at the lower 10th percentile to an impressive $259,667 for the top 90th percentile, indicating significant earnings potential. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026 and adjusted for regional price parities, illustrate how corporate consolidation and the structure of practices can influence pay. This environment often sees independent practices offering less than their corporate counterparts, which, while presenting stable salary options, can limit growth and partnership opportunities.
About the Apple Valley Market
Salary estimated from California average ($156,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $97,166 | $46.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $135,577 | $65.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $167,527 | $80.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $211,906 | $101.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $259,667 | $124.84 |
Median Salary Position
21.99% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Apple Valley
In Apple Valley, CA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $162,501 (2026 est.). At $167,527, the local median is 21.99% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Apple Valley: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Apple Valley Veterinarian Pay Compares
Apple Valley median: $167,527/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Apple Valley Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $168,708 | -0.70% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | +21.99% more |
Veterinarians in Apple Valley, CA earn a median of $167,527 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.99% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 0.70% below the California state average of $168,708.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Apple Valley has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Apple Valley, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $167,527 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $148,123 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$116,447
2025 BLS Actual
$158,703
2026 Current Est.
$167,527
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Apple Valley (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $116,447 | Actual |
| 2020 | $121,071 | Actual |
| 2021 | $122,437 | Actual |
| 2022 | $125,962 | Actual |
| 2023 | $145,285 | Actual |
| 2024 | $175,279 | Actual |
| 2025 | $158,703 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $167,527 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $176,841 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Apple Valley metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $116,447 (2019) to $158,703 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $176,841 by 2027 — a total increase of $60,394 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Apple Valley 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) | $97,166 – $135,577 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $135,577 – $167,527 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $167,527 – $211,906 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $211,906 – $259,667 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Apple Valley
In the local job market, 19 veterinarians currently practice in Apple Valley, which indicates a modest yet stable demand for veterinary services. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, it is crucial for professionals in this field to consider how take-home pay adjusts to local living expenses. Among local employers, large animal practices and specialty referral hospitals tend to offer higher compensation, particularly those affiliated with corporate chains. The disparity in salaries is frequently driven by factors such as board certification in specialties (like surgery or internal medicine), production-based compensation models, and available sign-on bonuses, which can range from $50,000 to $150,000 for new graduates in areas facing staffing shortages. For veterinarians in Apple Valley, forming connections with corporate entities and pursuing specialized credentials may represent the best strategies for maximizing their earning potential in this evolving market.
More salary data for Apple Valley, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can veterinarians make $100K in Apple Valley?
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Related Pages
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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 $158,703 for veterinariansin the Apple Valley 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 Apple Valley 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