Veterinarian Salary in Brentwood, CA: $168,208 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Brentwood, CA earns a median $168,208/year (≈ $80.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Brentwood's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $148,725 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, veterinarians in Brentwood, California, are anticipated to earn a median annual salary of $168,208, significantly outpacing the national median of $137,334 by about 22.48%. Local estimates suggest a broad salary range, with entry-level positions starting around $97,561, while experienced professionals can command upwards of $260,722. These figures are derived from BLS state-level data and account for regional cost adjustments. This competitive salary landscape reflects the growing demand for veterinary services in Brentwood, where specialty certifications in areas such as surgery, internal medicine, and emergency critical care can significantly enhance earning potential.
About the Brentwood Market
Salary estimated from California average ($156,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $97,561 | $46.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $126,859 | $60.99 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $168,208 | $80.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $213,334 | $102.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $260,722 | $125.34 |
Median Salary Position
22.48% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brentwood
In Brentwood, CA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $163,161 (2026 est.). At $168,208, the local median is 22.48% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brentwood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Brentwood Veterinarian Pay Compares
Brentwood median: $168,208/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brentwood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $168,714 | -0.30% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | +22.48% more |
Veterinarians in Brentwood, CA earn a median of $168,208 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.48% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 0.30% below the California state average of $168,714.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brentwood has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Brentwood, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $168,208 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $148,725 — a 11.58% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$116,921
2025 BLS Actual
$159,348
2026 Current Est.
$168,208
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Brentwood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $116,921 | Actual |
| 2020 | $121,563 | Actual |
| 2021 | $122,934 | Actual |
| 2022 | $126,474 | Actual |
| 2023 | $145,875 | Actual |
| 2024 | $175,992 | Actual |
| 2025 | $159,348 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $168,208 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $177,560 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brentwood metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $116,921 (2019) to $159,348 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $177,560 by 2027 — a total increase of $60,639 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brentwood 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) | $97,561 – $126,859 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $126,859 – $168,208 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $168,208 – $213,334 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $213,334 – $260,722 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Brentwood
The job market for veterinarians in Brentwood includes about 13 professionals currently employed, which indicates a healthy demand for veterinary services despite a challenging cost-of-living index of 113.1, suggesting that while salaries are high, expenses are equally substantial. Employers offering the most competitive packages primarily include corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl, which can afford higher compensation due to consolidated resources compared to independent practices. The disparity between low and high pay often correlates with factors such as board certifications and production-based compensation models that reward veterinarians based on revenue generation. Additionally, configurations such as ownership equity, substantial sign-on bonuses, and the corporate versus independent practice divide contribute to overall pay variations. To optimize their earnings, veterinarians in Brentwood should consider pursuing specialty certifications and exploring opportunities within corporate environments, which might offer more substantial financial incentives and career advancement routes.
More salary data for Brentwood, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinarians make in Brentwood, CA in 2026?
Is Brentwood, CA a good place to work as a veterinarian?
Can veterinarians make $100K in Brentwood?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted veterinarian salary in Brentwood?
How much does a veterinarian make per hour in Brentwood?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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 $159,348 for veterinariansin the Brentwood 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 Brentwood 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