Veterinarian Salary in Fontana, CA: $175,366 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Fontana, CA earns a median $175,366/year (≈ $84.31/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Fontana's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $155,054 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, veterinarians in Fontana, California, can anticipate a median annual income of $175,366, reflecting a notable increase over the national average, which sits at $137,334. The salary range for veterinarians in this area varies dramatically, spanning from $101,712 at the P10 to a remarkable $271,817 at the P90 level. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parity, indicate the comprehensive earning potential within the Fontana market. Given the competitive market, especially for specialty board-certified veterinarians such as those in surgery, internal medicine, or emergency/critical care, Fontana’s job market is poised to entice high-caliber professionals seeking lucrative opportunities.
About the Fontana Market
Salary estimated from California average ($156,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $101,712 | $48.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $129,498 | $62.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $175,366 | $84.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $224,468 | $107.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $271,817 | $130.68 |
Median Salary Position
27.69% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fontana
In Fontana, CA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $170,105 (2026 est.). At $175,366, the local median is 27.69% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fontana: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fontana Veterinarian Pay Compares
Fontana median: $175,366/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fontana Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $168,621 | +4.00% more |
| National Average | $137,334 | +27.69% more |
Veterinarians in Fontana, CA earn a median of $175,366 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.69% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 4.00% above the California state average of $168,621.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fontana has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fontana, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $175,366 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $155,054 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$121,896
2025 BLS Actual
$166,129
2026 Current Est.
$175,366
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Fontana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $121,896 | Actual |
| 2020 | $126,736 | Actual |
| 2021 | $128,166 | Actual |
| 2022 | $131,856 | Actual |
| 2023 | $152,083 | Actual |
| 2024 | $183,481 | Actual |
| 2025 | $166,129 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $175,366 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $185,116 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fontana metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $121,896 (2019) to $166,129 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $185,116 by 2027 — a total increase of $63,220 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fontana 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) | $101,712 – $129,498 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $129,498 – $175,366 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $175,366 – $224,468 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $224,468 – $271,817 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Fontana
As of now, there are 32 veterinarians currently practicing within Fontana, presenting a stable local job market for prospective veterinary professionals. However, the cost of living in the area, indexed at 113.1, can impact take-home purchasing power, making it essential for veterinarians to consider their compensation structures carefully. Among various employment avenues, corporate chains like VCA, BluePearl, and NVA, which comprise approximately 25% of the local market, tend to offer higher salaries compared to independent practices. In addition, factors such as specialty board certifications, production-based compensation, and equity in practice ownership significantly influence pay disparities. With a current shortage in certain specializations, sign-on bonuses ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 are being offered to attract new graduates. To maximize pay in Fontana, veterinarians should focus on acquiring specialties that align with market demands and consider the benefits of corporate affiliations versus independent practice roles.
More salary data for Fontana, 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 $166,129 for veterinariansin the Fontana 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 Fontana 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