Veterinarian Salary in Long Beach, CA: $169,541 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Long Beach, CA earns a median $169,541/year (≈ $81.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Long Beach's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $149,904 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Long Beach, California, veterinarians earn a median annual salary of $169,541, which exceeds the national median of $137,334 by 23.45%. The salary range in the area varies significantly, starting from approximately $98,333 at the 10th percentile to as high as $262,788 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and adjust for local economic conditions, reflecting the city's rising demand for veterinary services. Specialists, particularly those board-certified in surgery, internal medicine, or emergency and critical care, command higher wages, highlighting the value placed on advanced qualifications in this competitive field. The job market for veterinarians in Long Beach is robust, with 89 professionals currently employed.
About the Long Beach Market
Salary estimated from California average ($156,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $98,333 | $47.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $133,869 | $64.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $169,541 | $81.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $217,012 | $104.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $262,788 | $126.34 |
Median Salary Position
23.45% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Long Beach
In Long Beach, CA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $164,455 (2026 est.). At $169,541, the local median is 23.45% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Long Beach: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Long Beach Veterinarian Pay Compares
Long Beach median: $169,541/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Long Beach Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $168,697 | +0.50% more |
| National Average | $137,334 | +23.45% more |
Veterinarians in Long Beach, CA earn a median of $169,541 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.45% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 0.50% above the California state average of $168,697.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Long Beach has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Long Beach, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $169,541 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $149,904 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$117,847
2025 BLS Actual
$160,611
2026 Current Est.
$169,541
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Long Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $117,847 | Actual |
| 2020 | $122,526 | Actual |
| 2021 | $123,909 | Actual |
| 2022 | $127,476 | Actual |
| 2023 | $147,031 | Actual |
| 2024 | $185,873 | Actual |
| 2025 | $160,611 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $169,541 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $178,967 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Long Beach metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $117,847 (2019) to $160,611 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $178,967 by 2027 — a total increase of $61,120 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Long Beach 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) | $98,333 – $133,869 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $133,869 – $169,541 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $169,541 – $217,012 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $217,012 – $262,788 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Long Beach
The cost of living in Long Beach, with an index of 113.1, indicates that while salaries are attractive, they must be balanced against the higher expenses of urban life. Specialty practices and corporate veterinary chains such as VCA and BluePearl are among the highest-paying employers, whereas independent clinics may offer competitive rates but lack the same financial resources. Factors influencing the disparity in compensation include specialty certification, production-based models (where income is linked to revenue generation), and practice ownership opportunities. Compensation strategies in Long Beach often involve substantial sign-on bonuses, especially in high-demand areas, which can range from $50,000 to $150,000 for new graduates. To maximize earnings, veterinarians should consider pursuing board certifications, engaging in revenue-generating initiatives within their practices, and exploring opportunities tied to corporate employment structures.
More salary data for Long Beach, 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 $160,611 for veterinariansin the Long Beach 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 Long Beach 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