Veterinarian Salary in San Francisco, CA: $219,649 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in San Francisco, CA earns a median $219,649/year (≈ $105.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in San Francisco's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.6), that paycheck buys what $189,986 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 30.3% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the veterinarian salary in San Francisco is projected to reach a median of $219,649, significantly surpassing the national median of $137,334 by an impressive 59.94%. The salary range for veterinarians in this city shows considerable variation, with entry-level positions starting around $94,086 and experienced professionals in specialty fields such as surgery or internal medicine potentially earning up to $311,845. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, reflecting a robust local job market that values advanced certifications. The high salary range not only reflects the demand for veterinary services in San Francisco but also highlights the city’s unique cost of living factors that influence compensation in the profession.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $94,086 | $45.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $146,602 | $70.48 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $219,649 | $105.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $257,091 | $123.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $311,845 | $149.93 |
Median Salary Position
59.94% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Francisco
In San Francisco, CA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $217,759 (2026 est.). At $219,649, the local median is 59.94% above the national median of $137,334.
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At 40 hours/week in San Francisco: You'd be above the median
How San Francisco Veterinarian Pay Compares
San Francisco median: $219,649/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Francisco Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $168,572 | +30.30% more |
| National Average | $137,334 | +59.94% more |
Veterinarians in San Francisco, CA earn a median of $219,649 per year (2026 est.), which is 59.94% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 30.30% above the California state average of $168,572.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Francisco has a cost of living 15.61% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Francisco, CA has a cost-of-living index of 115.613 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $219,649 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $189,986 — a 13.5% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$111,950
2025 BLS Actual
$208,080
2026 Current Est.
$219,649
2019–2027 Growth
+107.1%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in San Francisco (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $111,950 | Actual |
| 2020 | $121,620 | Actual |
| 2021 | $126,410 | Actual |
| 2022 | $127,760 | Actual |
| 2023 | $169,950 | Actual |
| 2024 | $187,990 | Actual |
| 2025 | $208,080 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $219,649 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $231,862 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Francisco metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 85.9% from $111,950 (2019) to $208,080 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $231,862 by 2027 — a total increase of $119,912 (107.11%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Francisco 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) | $94,086 – $146,602 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $146,602 – $219,649 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $219,649 – $257,091 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $257,091 – $311,845 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in San Francisco
Turning to the local job market, about 1,350 veterinarians work in San Francisco, navigating a competitive yet rewarding environment. The cost of living index stands at 115.613, implying that despite higher salaries, take-home purchasing power must be carefully managed. Among various employers, corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl, which command roughly 25% of the market share, often offer higher pay packages compared to independent practices. The disparity between low and high veterinarian pay in San Francisco can be attributed to factors such as specialty board certification, production-based compensation structures, and the potential for equity ownership in practices. To maximize pay in this competitive market, professionals are advised to seek specialty certifications or consider joining high-paying corporate practices while being cognizant of the demand for generalists.
More salary data for San Francisco, 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 $208,080 for veterinariansin the San Francisco 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