Veterinarian Salary in Madera, CA: $164,708 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Madera, CA earns a median $164,708/year (≈ $79.19/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Madera's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $145,630 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.3% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, veterinarians in Madera, California, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $164,708, which is notably higher than the national median of $137,334. This reflects a significant difference in compensation, highlighting the value placed on veterinary services in the local market. The forecasted salary range is broad, with the lower 10% earning around $97,242 and the top 10% seeing figures as high as $255,298. These amounts are derived from 2025 BLS estimates, adjusted for local economic conditions, and indicate a strong demand for veterinary professionals in the area. Madera's competitive salaries may be influenced by the need for specialists, such as board-certified veterinarians in surgery or emergency care, which often command much higher pay.
About the Madera Market
Salary estimated from California average ($156,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $97,242 | $46.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $129,960 | $62.48 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $164,708 | $79.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $210,827 | $101.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $255,298 | $122.73 |
Median Salary Position
19.93% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Madera
In Madera, CA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $158,056 (2026 est.). At $164,708, the local median is 19.93% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Madera: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Madera Veterinarian Pay Compares
Madera median: $164,708/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Madera Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $168,586 | -2.30% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | +19.93% more |
Veterinarians in Madera, CA earn a median of $164,708 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.93% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 2.30% below the California state average of $168,586.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Madera has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Madera, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $164,708 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $145,630 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$114,488
2025 BLS Actual
$156,033
2026 Current Est.
$164,708
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Madera (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $114,488 | Actual |
| 2020 | $119,034 | Actual |
| 2021 | $120,377 | Actual |
| 2022 | $123,843 | Actual |
| 2023 | $142,840 | Actual |
| 2024 | $172,331 | Actual |
| 2025 | $156,033 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $164,708 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $173,866 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Madera metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $114,488 (2019) to $156,033 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $173,866 by 2027 — a total increase of $59,378 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Madera 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) | $97,242 – $129,960 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $129,960 – $164,708 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $164,708 – $210,827 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $210,827 – $255,298 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Madera
In Madera, the job market for veterinarians is relatively robust, with 8 professionals currently employed in the area. However, the cost of living index stands at 113.1, indicating that while salaries are competitive, expenses are also elevated compared to national averages. For veterinarians interested in maximizing their earning potential, working in corporate veterinary clinics like VCA or BluePearl—which constitute roughly 25% of the market—may offer better pay scales than independent practices. Additionally, pursuing a specialty board certification can lead to significantly higher compensation. Factors such as production-based pay models, where veterinarians earn a percentage of revenue generated, and sign-on bonuses ranging from $50k to $150k for new graduates in high-demand areas can further enhance overall earnings in this sector. Familiarity with the local market dynamics and strategic career choices will be essential for optimizing veterinarian pay in Madera, CA.
More salary data for Madera, 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 $156,033 for veterinariansin the Madera 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 Madera 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