Veterinarian Salary in Santa Rosa, CA: $167,598 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Santa Rosa, CA earns a median $167,598/year (≈ $80.57/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Santa Rosa's price level (8% above national, BEA RPP 107.8), that paycheck buys what $155,494 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Santa Rosa, California, the average veterinarian salary is projected at $167,598 in 2026, placing it significantly above the national median of $137,334. This compensation reflects a wide range of earnings, from $74,420 at the entry-level to a top-tier figure of $305,417, demonstrating how production-based compensation models can effectively influence pay in this sector. Data derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys illustrate the growing demand for veterinary services, highlighting Santa Rosa's competitive job market, where veterinarians can expect to earn substantially more than their counterparts elsewhere in the nation.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $74,420 | $35.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $126,999 | $61.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $167,598 | $80.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $215,237 | $103.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $305,417 | $146.83 |
Median Salary Position
22.04% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Santa Rosa
In Santa Rosa, CA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $230,997 (2026 est.). At $167,598, the local median is 22.04% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Santa Rosa: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Santa Rosa Veterinarian Pay Compares
Santa Rosa median: $167,598/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Santa Rosa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $168,609 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | +22.04% more |
Veterinarians in Santa Rosa, CA earn a median of $167,598 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.04% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 0.60% below the California state average of $168,609.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Santa Rosa has a cost of living 7.78% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Santa Rosa, CA has a cost-of-living index of 107.784 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $167,598 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $155,494 — a 7.22% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$131,190
2025 BLS Actual
$158,770
2026 Current Est.
$167,598
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Santa Rosa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $131,190 | Actual |
| 2020 | $125,120 | Actual |
| 2021 | $128,810 | Actual |
| 2022 | $124,180 | Actual |
| 2023 | $135,360 | Actual |
| 2024 | $163,380 | Actual |
| 2025 | $158,770 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $167,598 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $176,916 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Santa Rosa metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 21.0% from $131,190 (2019) to $158,770 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $176,916 by 2027 — a total increase of $45,726 (34.85%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Rosa 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) | $74,420 – $126,999 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $126,999 – $167,598 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $167,598 – $215,237 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $215,237 – $305,417 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Santa Rosa
The employment landscape in Santa Rosa currently accommodates 210 veterinarians, and the cost of living index sits at 107.784, indicating a relatively higher cost of living compared to the national average. Such factors impact take-home pay and purchasing power, making it essential for veterinarians to position themselves effectively in the job market. Employers like large animal practices and specialty hospitals often offer higher compensation, while those entering corporate settings like VCA or BluePearl may also find lucrative options. To maximize veterinary pay in Santa Rosa, professionals should consider specializing, acquiring board certifications, or negotiating production-based compensation arrangements, particularly in high-need areas where sign-on bonuses can range significantly, sometimes reaching up to $150,000.
More salary data for Santa Rosa, 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 $158,770 for veterinariansin the Santa Rosa 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