Veterinarian Salary in Brea, CA: $159,994 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Brea, CA earns a median $159,994/year (≈ $76.92/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Brea's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $141,462 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Veterinarians in Brea, California, command median annual salaries projected at $159,994 for 2026, reflecting a robust job market driven by significant demand within the area. This income is complemented by a wide salary range, from $94,973 at the lower 10th percentile to $247,991 for the top 90th percentile. These estimates have been derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parities, highlighting the earning potential in this market. The contrast with the national average of $137,334 illustrates the financial advantages of practicing in Brea, especially for specialists who achieve board certification in areas such as surgery, internal medicine, or emergency care, which can further augment their earning capabilities.
About the Brea Market
Salary estimated from California average ($156,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $94,973 | $45.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $126,524 | $60.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $159,994 | $76.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $203,857 | $98.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $247,991 | $119.23 |
Median Salary Position
16.50% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brea
In Brea, CA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $153,018 (2026 est.). At $159,994, the local median is 16.5% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brea: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Brea Veterinarian Pay Compares
Brea median: $159,994/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brea Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $168,592 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | +16.50% more |
Veterinarians in Brea, CA earn a median of $159,994 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.50% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 5.10% below the California state average of $168,592.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brea has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Brea, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $159,994 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $141,462 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$111,211
2025 BLS Actual
$151,567
2026 Current Est.
$159,994
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Brea (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $111,211 | Actual |
| 2020 | $115,627 | Actual |
| 2021 | $116,931 | Actual |
| 2022 | $120,298 | Actual |
| 2023 | $138,752 | Actual |
| 2024 | $167,398 | Actual |
| 2025 | $151,567 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $159,994 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $168,890 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brea metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $111,211 (2019) to $151,567 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $168,890 by 2027 — a total increase of $57,679 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brea 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) | $94,973 – $126,524 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $126,524 – $159,994 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $159,994 – $203,857 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $203,857 – $247,991 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Brea
Currently, Brea employs approximately 10 veterinarians, indicating a relatively niche job market. However, the city's cost-of-living index stands at 113.1, suggesting that housing and daily expenses may influence take-home pay. Corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl dominate about 25% of the market, typically offering higher salaries and benefits compared to independent practices, which can provide more flexible working conditions and partnership opportunities. The gap in pay exists not only between specialty veterinarians and general practitioners but also hinges upon various factors such as production-based compensation models and the availability of lucrative sign-on bonuses. For veterinary professionals looking to maximize their earnings in Brea, pursuing advanced certifications while considering a shift toward corporate practice may offer significant financial rewards in this evolving landscape.
More salary data for Brea, 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 $151,567 for veterinariansin the Brea 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 Brea 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