Veterinarian Salary in Temecula, CA: $172,410 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Temecula, CA earns a median $172,410/year (≈ $82.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Temecula's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $152,440 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, veterinarians in Temecula, California, can expect a median annual salary of $172,410, reflecting the area's competitive job market for this profession. Salaries in the region range widely, with the lowest earning potential at $99,998 and the highest reaching $267,236. This compensation data is drawn from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost differentials. The robust earnings not only exemplify the increasing demand for veterinary services but also highlight the appeal of specialty board certifications, where veterinarians focusing on surgery, internal medicine, or emergency care can command significantly higher salaries compared to their general practice counterparts.
About the Temecula Market
Salary estimated from California average ($156,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $99,998 | $48.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $136,221 | $65.49 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $172,410 | $82.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $218,014 | $104.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $267,236 | $128.48 |
Median Salary Position
25.54% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Temecula
In Temecula, CA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $167,238 (2026 est.). At $172,410, the local median is 25.54% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Temecula: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Temecula Veterinarian Pay Compares
Temecula median: $172,410/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Temecula Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $168,699 | +2.20% more |
| National Average | $137,334 | +25.54% more |
Veterinarians in Temecula, CA earn a median of $172,410 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.54% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 2.20% above the California state average of $168,699.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Temecula has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Temecula, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $172,410 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $152,440 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$119,842
2025 BLS Actual
$163,329
2026 Current Est.
$172,410
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Temecula (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $119,842 | Actual |
| 2020 | $124,600 | Actual |
| 2021 | $126,006 | Actual |
| 2022 | $129,634 | Actual |
| 2023 | $149,519 | Actual |
| 2024 | $180,389 | Actual |
| 2025 | $163,329 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $172,410 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $181,996 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Temecula metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $119,842 (2019) to $163,329 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $181,996 by 2027 — a total increase of $62,154 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Temecula 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) | $99,998 – $136,221 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $136,221 – $172,410 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $172,410 – $218,014 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $218,014 – $267,236 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Temecula
Amid Temecula's dynamic economy, 25 veterinarians are currently employed, a number that hints at a stable job market despite challenges posed by a high cost-of-living index of 113.1. This figure suggests that while veterinarians may enjoy higher salaries, their purchasing power could be tempered by local living expenses. Among the various employers, corporate chains like VCA, BluePearl, and NVA have a notable impact on veterinarian pay in Temecula CA, collectively comprising around 25% of the workforce and often providing attractive pay packages. The disparity in compensation can be influenced by factors such as specialty credentials, production-based compensation seen widely in corporate settings, ownership structures of private practices, and lucrative sign-on bonuses for new graduates in high-demand areas. To maximize earnings in this market, veterinarians should consider pursuing specialty certifications and evaluating potential employment with larger corporate entities that offer robust compensation structures, alongside the opportunities for growth inherent in independent practices.
More salary data for Temecula, 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 $163,329 for veterinariansin the Temecula 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
Salary data for Temecula is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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