Veterinarian Salary in Chino, CA: $170,505 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Chino, CA earns a median $170,505/year (≈ $81.98/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Chino's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $150,756 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Veterinarians in Chino, California, can expect to see a competitive 2026 median annual salary of $170,505, which significantly exceeds the national average by over 24%. The local salary range varies widely, starting at $98,893 for the lower 10th percentile and reaching as high as $264,282 for those in the upper 90th percentile. These figures are estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost of living, which reflects the relatively higher living expenses in Chino. Specialty certifications, especially in surgery, internal medicine, or emergency care, command a premium, indicating a market trend that rewards advanced expertise. The employment of 17 veterinarians in this area suggests a targeted job market, where specialists may find more lucrative opportunities compared to general practitioners.
About the Chino Market
Salary estimated from California average ($156,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $98,893 | $47.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $131,407 | $63.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $170,505 | $81.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $215,461 | $103.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $264,282 | $127.06 |
Median Salary Position
24.15% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chino
In Chino, CA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $165,389 (2026 est.). At $170,505, the local median is 24.15% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chino: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chino Veterinarian Pay Compares
Chino median: $170,505/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chino Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $168,650 | +1.10% more |
| National Average | $137,334 | +24.15% more |
Veterinarians in Chino, CA earn a median of $170,505 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.15% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 1.10% above the California state average of $168,650.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chino has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chino, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $170,505 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $150,756 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$118,517
2025 BLS Actual
$161,524
2026 Current Est.
$170,505
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Chino (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $118,517 | Actual |
| 2020 | $123,223 | Actual |
| 2021 | $124,613 | Actual |
| 2022 | $128,201 | Actual |
| 2023 | $147,867 | Actual |
| 2024 | $178,396 | Actual |
| 2025 | $161,524 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $170,505 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $179,985 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chino metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $118,517 (2019) to $161,524 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $179,985 by 2027 — a total increase of $61,468 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chino 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) | $98,893 – $131,407 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $131,407 – $170,505 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $170,505 – $215,461 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $215,461 – $264,282 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Chino
Considering the cost of living index of 113.1, which indicates higher-than-average expenses in Chino, veterinarians must be strategic in maximizing their earnings to maintain purchasing power. Employers such as corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl constitute about 25% of the local job market, often offering higher salaries alongside production-based compensation models. In contrast, independent practices may provide equity ownership opportunities, which can lead to higher long-term earnings for those willing to invest. Moreover, specialty practices and referral hospitals typically pay more than general mixed animal practices or government roles, which can be less financially rewarding. New graduates in this competitive job market should consider robust sign-on bonuses currently ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 in high-demand areas, and prioritize pursuing specialty certifications to bridge the pay gap that exists between generalists and specialists in Chino, CA.
More salary data for Chino, 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 $161,524 for veterinariansin the Chino 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 Chino 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