Veterinarian Salary in Los Angeles, CA: $168,980 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Los Angeles, CA earns a median $168,980/year (≈ $81.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Los Angeles's price level (14% above national, BEA RPP 113.6), that paycheck buys what $148,795 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, veterinarians practicing in Los Angeles are projected to earn a median annual salary of $168,980, representing a notable increase over national averages. The salary range spans from $71,158 at the 10th percentile to $299,843 at the 90th, indicating a substantial earning potential for those who achieve premium positions within the field. This comprehensive compensation picture highlights how a production-based compensation model significantly influences veterinarian pay in Los Angeles CA, especially as corporate consolidation alters practice dynamics. The area's competitive salary reflects not just the high demand for veterinary services but also the response to the ongoing shortage of professionals, particularly in specialty and emergency medicine, shaping a vibrant job market for employees.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $71,158 | $34.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $128,350 | $61.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $168,980 | $81.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $223,882 | $107.64 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $299,843 | $144.15 |
Median Salary Position
23.04% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Los Angeles
In Los Angeles, CA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $228,685 (2026 est.). At $168,980, the local median is 23.04% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Los Angeles: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Los Angeles Veterinarian Pay Compares
Los Angeles median: $168,980/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Los Angeles Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $168,643 | +0.20% more |
| National Average | $137,334 | +23.04% more |
Veterinarians in Los Angeles, CA earn a median of $168,980 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.04% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 0.20% above the California state average of $168,643.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Los Angeles has a cost of living 13.57% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Los Angeles, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.566 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $168,980 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $148,795 — a 11.95% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$103,870
2025 BLS Actual
$160,080
2026 Current Est.
$168,980
2019–2027 Growth
+71.7%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Los Angeles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $103,870 | Actual |
| 2020 | $104,400 | Actual |
| 2021 | $122,440 | Actual |
| 2022 | $126,600 | Actual |
| 2023 | $129,940 | Actual |
| 2024 | $138,430 | Actual |
| 2025 | $160,080 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $168,980 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $178,376 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Los Angeles metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 54.1% from $103,870 (2019) to $160,080 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $178,376 by 2027 — a total increase of $74,506 (71.73%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Los Angeles 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) | $71,158 – $128,350 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $128,350 – $168,980 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $168,980 – $223,882 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $223,882 – $299,843 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Los Angeles
The local veterinarian job market in Los Angeles is robust, with around 2,740 veterinarians currently employed, which provides a solid foundation for job seekers. However, it's essential to consider the elevated cost of living in the area, marked by a cost-of-living index of 113.566, which may impact the actual purchasing power of these salaries. Among employers, large animal and equine practices, as well as specialty referral hospitals, tend to offer higher pay scales, often due to the demanding expertise required in these roles. The disparity in earnings can also be attributed to factors such as specialty board certification, practice ownership, and variations in compensation structures across corporate and independent practices. For veterinarians looking to maximize their pay in this dynamic market, pursuing additional certifications, negotiating effectively with employers, and considering partnerships in growing corporate practices could significantly enhance their overall financial well-being throughout their careers in Los Angeles.
More salary data for Los Angeles, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinarians make in Los Angeles, CA in 2026?
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Can veterinarians make $100K in Los Angeles?
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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 $160,080 for veterinariansin the Los Angeles 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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