Veterinarian Salary in Lakewood, CA: $164,348 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Lakewood, CA earns a median $164,348/year (≈ $79.01/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Lakewood's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $145,312 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $164,348 in 2026, the veterinarian salary in Lakewood, CA, reflects the competitive dynamics within the profession, especially as corporate consolidation continues to reshape practice structures. The full salary range here spans from $96,461 at the P10 to $254,741 at the P90, illustrating a wide disparity in compensation based on specialty, experience, and practice type. These figures are local estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost variations. In Lakewood, corporate veterinary chains generally offer higher pay than independent practices due to their structured compensation models, creating an ongoing challenge for independent clinics to attract and retain talent within the local job market.
About the Lakewood Market
Salary estimated from California average ($156,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $96,461 | $46.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $125,652 | $60.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $164,348 | $79.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $210,143 | $101.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $254,741 | $122.47 |
Median Salary Position
19.67% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lakewood
In Lakewood, CA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $158,280 (2026 est.). At $164,348, the local median is 19.67% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lakewood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lakewood Veterinarian Pay Compares
Lakewood median: $164,348/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lakewood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $168,563 | -2.50% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | +19.67% more |
Veterinarians in Lakewood, CA earn a median of $164,348 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.67% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 2.50% below the California state average of $168,563.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lakewood has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lakewood, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $164,348 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $145,312 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$114,238
2025 BLS Actual
$155,692
2026 Current Est.
$164,348
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Lakewood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $114,238 | Actual |
| 2020 | $118,773 | Actual |
| 2021 | $120,114 | Actual |
| 2022 | $123,572 | Actual |
| 2023 | $142,528 | Actual |
| 2024 | $171,954 | Actual |
| 2025 | $155,692 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $164,348 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $173,486 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lakewood metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $114,238 (2019) to $155,692 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $173,486 by 2027 — a total increase of $59,248 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lakewood 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) | $96,461 – $125,652 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $125,652 – $164,348 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $164,348 – $210,143 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $210,143 – $254,741 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Lakewood
The job market for veterinarians in Lakewood, with 19 employed professionals, underscores the area's specialized needs and the influences of cost of living, reflected in a cost of living index of 113.1. This means that while salaries may seem attractive, the purchasing power for veterinarians is somewhat tempered, as expenses in Los Angeles County can be higher than national averages. Among various potential employers, corporate entities such as VCA and BluePearl tend to offer the most competitive packages, particularly for new graduates, who may find sign-on bonuses ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 for positions in underserved areas. The pay disparity in Lakewood is also driven by factors like board certification in specialties, production-based compensation structures, and ownership stakes in practices. For veterinarians aiming to maximize their pay in this market, pursuing additional certifications, considering corporate opportunities, or exploring specialty fields could be advantageous strategies.
More salary data for Lakewood, 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 $155,692 for veterinariansin the Lakewood 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 Lakewood 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