Veterinarian Salary in San Diego, CA: $168,632 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in San Diego, CA earns a median $168,632/year (≈ $81.07/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in San Diego's price level (12% above national, BEA RPP 111.9), that paycheck buys what $150,716 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In San Diego, California, the 2026 median annual salary for veterinarians is projected at $168,632, reflecting a notable premium for those specializing with board certifications in areas like surgery, internal medicine, or emergency care. The full salary spectrum ranges widely, with figures spanning from $71,295 at the 10th percentile to as high as $291,588 at the 90th percentile. This data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and highlights how San Diego's veterinarian pay exceeds the national median of $137,334 by approximately 22.79%. For veterinary professionals considering their career options in this vibrant city, the competitive compensation landscape can be influenced by various factors, including specialties and clinic types.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $71,295 | $34.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $131,454 | $63.20 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $168,632 | $81.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $210,677 | $101.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $291,588 | $140.18 |
Median Salary Position
22.79% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Diego
In San Diego, CA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $220,293 (2026 est.). At $168,632, the local median is 22.79% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Diego: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Diego Veterinarian Pay Compares
San Diego median: $168,632/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Diego Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $137,334 | +22.79% more |
Veterinarians in San Diego, CA earn a median of $168,632 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.79% higher than the national median of $137,334.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Diego has a cost of living 11.89% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Diego, CA has a cost-of-living index of 111.887 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $168,632 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $150,716 — a 10.62% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$109,440
2025 BLS Actual
$159,750
2026 Current Est.
$168,632
2019–2027 Growth
+62.7%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in San Diego (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $109,440 | Actual |
| 2020 | $108,240 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,000 | Actual |
| 2022 | $121,040 | Actual |
| 2023 | $127,440 | Actual |
| 2024 | $158,260 | Actual |
| 2025 | $159,750 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $168,632 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $178,008 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Diego metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 46.0% from $109,440 (2019) to $159,750 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $178,008 by 2027 — a total increase of $68,568 (62.65%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Diego 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) | $71,295 – $131,454 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $131,454 – $168,632 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $168,632 – $210,677 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $210,677 – $291,588 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in San Diego
With approximately 1,080 veterinarians currently employed in San Diego, the local job market remains robust. However, the cost of living — with a CoL index of 111.887 — poses challenges for take-home purchasing power, urging veterinarians to seek higher compensation. Among potential employers, corporate chains such as VCA and BluePearl represent around 25% of the market, often providing more lucrative pay than independent practices, especially for those positioned in specialty referral hospitals. Factors contributing to salary variation include the level of board certification, the production-based compensation model (which rewards revenue generation), and opportunities for ownership in practice. New graduates, particularly those taking positions in high-need areas, may find signing bonuses ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 attractive. To maximize earnings in San Diego, veterinary professionals should consider specializing, negotiating contract terms effectively, and remaining agile in navigating corporate dynamics while keeping an eye on the expanding need for specialty services.
More salary data for San Diego, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinarians make in San Diego, CA in 2026?
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Can veterinarians make $100K in San Diego?
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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 $159,750 for veterinariansin the San Diego 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