Veterinarian Salary in Torrance, CA: $171,524 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Torrance, CA earns a median $171,524/year (≈ $82.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Torrance's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $151,657 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a veterinarian in Torrance, California, can expect to earn a median salary of $171,524, which positions it significantly above the national median of $137,334. Salary figures in this region range from $99,484 at the lower end (P10) to as high as $265,863 (P90) at the top, reflecting a diverse range in pay scales tied closely to practice types. The corporate versus independent practice structure plays a critical role in determining earnings; corporate clinics tend to offer more structured pay scales and benefits, albeit with less flexibility than independent practices. Given the competitive nature of this local job market, the prospects for veterinarians remain strong, especially with the projected annual growth rate of 5.56%.
About the Torrance Market
Salary estimated from California average ($156,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $99,484 | $47.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $127,988 | $61.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $171,524 | $82.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $219,551 | $105.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $265,863 | $127.82 |
Median Salary Position
24.90% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Torrance
In Torrance, CA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $166,379 (2026 est.). At $171,524, the local median is 24.9% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Torrance: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Torrance Veterinarian Pay Compares
Torrance median: $171,524/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Torrance Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $168,657 | +1.70% more |
| National Average | $137,334 | +24.90% more |
Veterinarians in Torrance, CA earn a median of $171,524 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.90% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 1.70% above the California state average of $168,657.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Torrance has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Torrance, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $171,524 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $151,657 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$119,226
2025 BLS Actual
$162,490
2026 Current Est.
$171,524
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Torrance (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $119,226 | Actual |
| 2020 | $123,960 | Actual |
| 2021 | $125,358 | Actual |
| 2022 | $128,968 | Actual |
| 2023 | $148,751 | Actual |
| 2024 | $179,462 | Actual |
| 2025 | $162,490 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $171,524 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $181,061 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Torrance metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $119,226 (2019) to $162,490 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $181,061 by 2027 — a total increase of $61,835 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Torrance 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) | $99,484 – $127,988 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $127,988 – $171,524 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $171,524 – $219,551 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $219,551 – $265,863 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Torrance
Torrance features a stable workforce with approximately 26 veterinarians actively employed in the area, but the cost of living index is 113.1, indicating that expenses are above the national average. This reality necessitates careful consideration of take-home pay for practitioners in the region. The highest salaries are typically found within corporate settings or specialty referral hospitals, where board-certified veterinarians can significantly enhance their earning potential. Factors such as production-based compensation models and the availability of sign-on bonuses, ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 for recent graduates, further contribute to the pay disparity. To maximize earnings in Torrance, aspiring veterinarians should engage in specialty certifications and consider practice ownership or partnership opportunities in independent clinics.
More salary data for Torrance, 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 $162,490 for veterinariansin the Torrance 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 Torrance 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