Veterinarian Salary in Stockton, CA: $152,028 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Stockton, CA earns a median $152,028/year (≈ $73.09/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Stockton's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.1), that paycheck buys what $144,666 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.8% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinarians in Stockton, CA are projected to earn a median annual salary of $152,028 in 2026, reflecting a competitive compensation structure that aligns closely with revenue generation within practices. The full salary range spans from $77,017 at the 10th percentile to $283,682 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant variability based on experience, specialization, and practice type. These figures, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, illustrate a growing demand for veterinary services in the area, particularly as corporate consolidation reshapes employment models and compensation structures in the veterinary field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,017 | $37.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $114,575 | $55.09 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $152,028 | $73.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $200,606 | $96.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $283,682 | $136.38 |
Median Salary Position
10.70% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Stockton
In Stockton, CA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $206,665 (2026 est.). At $152,028, the local median is 10.7% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Stockton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Stockton Veterinarian Pay Compares
Stockton median: $152,028/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Stockton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $168,545 | -9.80% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | +10.70% more |
Veterinarians in Stockton, CA earn a median of $152,028 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.70% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 9.80% below the California state average of $168,545.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Stockton has a cost of living 5.09% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Stockton, CA has a cost-of-living index of 105.089 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $152,028 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $144,666 — a 4.84% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$111,210
2025 BLS Actual
$144,020
2026 Current Est.
$152,028
2019–2027 Growth
+44.3%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Stockton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $111,210 | Actual |
| 2020 | $108,630 | Actual |
| 2021 | $101,560 | Actual |
| 2022 | $101,940 | Actual |
| 2023 | $125,050 | Actual |
| 2024 | $132,580 | Actual |
| 2025 | $144,020 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $152,028 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $160,480 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Stockton metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 29.5% from $111,210 (2019) to $144,020 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $160,480 by 2027 — a total increase of $49,270 (44.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Stockton 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) | $77,017 – $114,575 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $114,575 – $152,028 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $152,028 – $200,606 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $200,606 – $283,682 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Stockton
In the local job market, Stockton employs around 90 veterinarians, offering a dynamic environment for professionals entering the field. The cost of living index sits at 105.089, slightly above the national average, affecting take-home pay and purchasing power for veterinarians and highlighting the importance of financial planning in this market. Larger corporate entities like VCA and BluePearl typically pay the highest salaries, especially in comparison to independent practices. The stark salary differences are driven by factors such as board certification in specialties like surgery or internal medicine, the degree of production-based compensation models applied, and available sign-on bonuses, which can range from $50,000 to $150,000 in shortage areas. For optimal earning potential, veterinarians in Stockton should consider pursuing specialization and maintaining flexibility in practice ownership opportunities, as the veterinary field continues to adapt to changing market demands.
More salary data for Stockton, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinarians make in Stockton, CA in 2026?
Is Stockton, CA a good place to work as a veterinarian?
Can veterinarians make $100K in Stockton?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted veterinarian salary in Stockton?
How much does a veterinarian make per hour in Stockton?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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 $144,020 for veterinariansin the Stockton 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