Veterinarian Salary in Rancho Cordova, CA: $167,246 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Rancho Cordova, CA earns a median $167,246/year (≈ $80.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Rancho Cordova's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $147,874 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, veterinarians in Rancho Cordova can anticipate a median annual salary of $167,246, reflecting the area's competitive job market. The local salary range extends from $97,002 at the 10th percentile to $259,231 at the 90th percentile, illustrating significant variations tied to experience and specialization. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026 and adjusted for regional cost factors. The local compensation is approximately 21.78% higher than the national median of $137,334, indicating a strong demand for veterinary professionals in this California city, especially for those with specialty board certifications in surgical and internal medicine or emergency critical care.
About the Rancho Cordova Market
Salary estimated from California average ($156,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $97,002 | $46.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $135,012 | $64.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $167,246 | $80.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $211,214 | $101.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $259,231 | $124.63 |
Median Salary Position
21.78% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rancho Cordova
In Rancho Cordova, CA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $162,229 (2026 est.). At $167,246, the local median is 21.78% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rancho Cordova: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rancho Cordova Veterinarian Pay Compares
Rancho Cordova median: $167,246/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rancho Cordova Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $168,595 | -0.80% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | +21.78% more |
Veterinarians in Rancho Cordova, CA earn a median of $167,246 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.78% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 0.80% below the California state average of $168,595.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rancho Cordova has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rancho Cordova, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $167,246 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $147,874 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$116,252
2025 BLS Actual
$158,437
2026 Current Est.
$167,246
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Rancho Cordova (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $116,252 | Actual |
| 2020 | $120,868 | Actual |
| 2021 | $122,232 | Actual |
| 2022 | $125,751 | Actual |
| 2023 | $145,041 | Actual |
| 2024 | $174,986 | Actual |
| 2025 | $158,437 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $167,246 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $176,545 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rancho Cordova metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $116,252 (2019) to $158,437 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $176,545 by 2027 — a total increase of $60,293 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rancho Cordova 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) | $97,002 – $135,012 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $135,012 – $167,246 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $167,246 – $211,214 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $211,214 – $259,231 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Rancho Cordova
The job market for veterinarians in Rancho Cordova consists of around 20 employed professionals, who contend with a cost-of-living index of 113.1, above the national average. This higher cost impacts take-home pay and purchasing power, making it essential for veterinarians to find employers that offer competitive compensation. Larger corporate chains such as VCA, BluePearl, and NVA dominate about 25% of the market and often provide higher salaries compared to independent practices. Salary disparities also stem from factors like specialty certifications, production-based compensation models, and varying ownership equity in practices. New graduates should consider signing bonuses, which can range from $50,000 to $150,000 in underserved areas, as a way to enhance their initial offers. A strategic approach that includes pursuing specialty training while also assessing corporate versus independent practice settings can significantly influence veterinarian pay in Rancho Cordova, CA.
More salary data for Rancho Cordova, 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 $158,437 for veterinariansin the Rancho Cordova 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 Rancho Cordova 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