Veterinarian Salary in Sacramento, CA: $174,448 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Sacramento, CA earns a median $174,448/year (≈ $83.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Sacramento's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 106.7), that paycheck buys what $163,540 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Sacramento, California, the veterinarian salary in Sacramento is robust, with a median annual pay of $174,448 as of 2026, significantly surpassing the national figure. The salary range spans from $92,069 at the 10th percentile to $311,001 at the 90th percentile, pointing to the diverse opportunities available within the field. The data presented here is derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected into 2026. With ongoing corporate consolidation transforming the veterinary landscape, payment structures and potential earnings vary markedly between corporate and independent practices. The local market, driven by a substantial demand for veterinary services, solidifies Sacramento as an attractive location for aspiring and established veterinarians.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $92,069 | $44.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $134,758 | $64.79 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $174,448 | $83.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $227,756 | $109.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $311,001 | $149.53 |
Median Salary Position
27.02% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sacramento
In Sacramento, CA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $218,932 (2026 est.). At $174,448, the local median is 27.02% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sacramento: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sacramento Veterinarian Pay Compares
Sacramento median: $174,448/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sacramento Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $168,712 | +3.40% more |
| National Average | $137,334 | +27.02% more |
Veterinarians in Sacramento, CA earn a median of $174,448 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.02% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 3.40% above the California state average of $168,712.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sacramento has a cost of living 6.67% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Sacramento, CA has a cost-of-living index of 106.67 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $174,448 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $163,540 — a 6.25% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$106,420
2025 BLS Actual
$165,260
2026 Current Est.
$174,448
2019–2027 Growth
+73.0%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Sacramento (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $106,420 | Actual |
| 2020 | $119,180 | Actual |
| 2021 | $123,110 | Actual |
| 2022 | $124,090 | Actual |
| 2023 | $129,560 | Actual |
| 2024 | $158,420 | Actual |
| 2025 | $165,260 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $174,448 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $184,148 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sacramento metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 55.3% from $106,420 (2019) to $165,260 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $184,148 by 2027 — a total increase of $77,728 (73.04%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sacramento 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) | $92,069 – $134,758 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $134,758 – $174,448 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $174,448 – $227,756 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $227,756 – $311,001 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Sacramento
The job market in Sacramento is bolstered by the employment of approximately 830 veterinarians, providing a stable workforce in the area. However, the cost of living index stands at 106.67, indicating a slight increase from the national average which impacts overall take-home pay. Among employers, corporate chains like VCA, BluePearl, and NVA dominate the small animal companion segment, collectively accounting for about 25% of the market and often offer higher starting salaries and lucrative benefits, including sign-on bonuses that can range from $50,000 to $150,000 for new graduates in underserved regions. The disparity in earnings can also be attributed to factors like specialty board certification—where those certified in surgical, internal medicine, or emergency services can command significantly higher pay—and practice ownership equity. To maximize pay, veterinarians should consider opportunities in larger corporate practices or seek advanced training in specialties, as these paths typically yield greater compensation in Sacramento’s evolving veterinary environment.
More salary data for Sacramento, 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 $165,260 for veterinariansin the Sacramento 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