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Veterinarian salary in California

How much does a Veterinarian make in California?

Average base salary

$149,170
11%
above national average
Average $149,170
Low $95,477
High $233,058

The average salary for a veterinarian is $149,170 per year in California. 8.8k salaries taken from job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months (updated October 4, 2026).

What Does a Veterinarian Do?

Veterinarians are licensed medical professionals who diagnose and treat injuries and illnesses in animals. Their responsibilities span a wide range of tasks, from routine exams to complex surgeries. Some work in private clinics focused on small animal care and companion animals, while others work in animal hospitals, shelters, farms, or research labs. Depending on their specialty, veterinarians may focus on animal welfare, food safety, or managing animal diseases that could spread to humans.Here are some of the key responsibilities of a veterinarian:
  • Conduct physical examinations to assess overall animal health and detect signs of injury or illness
  • Diagnose and treat animal diseases through medication, surgery, or other medical procedures
  • Administer vaccinations and preventative treatments to support long-term animal health
  • Educate pet owners and farm managers on proper animal care, including diet, hygiene, and behavioral concerns
  • Operate medical equipment such as X-ray machines and ultrasound devices
  • Provide emergency care and make decisions regarding euthanasia when necessary
  • Collaborate with veterinary technicians, assistants, and public health officials to monitor emerging zoonotic diseases
  • Maintain accurate medical records and comply with guidelines from organizations like the American Veterinary Medical Association
Veterinarians may also contribute to animal shelter work, participate in community education initiatives, or consult with public health agencies to help prevent outbreaks of animal-borne diseases.
Learn more about what a Veterinarian does

Veterinarian job openings in California

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Vetco Relief Veterinarian
Vetco2.9out of 5 stars.
Placerville, CA
$136 - $170 an hour
1 day ago

Highest paying companies for Veterinarian in California

Average year pay is based on job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months.
Integrity Placement Group
 
$500,000per year
View company
Aequor
 
$465,400per year
View company
Integrated Resources Inc
 
$457,600per year
View company
Rangam Consultants Inc.
 
$396,240per year
View company
City of San Bernardino
 
$390,000per year
View company
Select Source International
 
$358,800per year
View company

Hiring a Veterinarian?

Hiring Guide
Hiring GuideLearn how to hire a Veterinarian
Job Description
Job DescriptionWrite the perfect Veterinarian job description
Interview Questions
Interview QuestionsLearn the best questions to ask Veterinarian candidates

Highest paying cities for Veterinarians near California

  1. Rancho Cucamonga, CA
    $163,767 per year
  2. Elk Grove, CA
    $157,921 per year
  3. San Diego, CA
    $151,931 per year
  4. Los Angeles, CA
    $151,921 per year
  5. San Rafael, CA
    $149,294 per year

Where can a Veterinarian earn more?

Compare salaries for Veterinarians in different locations
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Veterinarian

The average salary for a Veterinarian is $149,170 per year in California. This figure is based on 8.8k salaries taken from job postings on Indeed in the past 36 months, last updated on October 4, 2026.

Veterinarian jobs on Indeed - find your next one today.

Veterinarian salaries in California typically range between a low of $95,477 and a high of $233,058 per year, depending on experience and the hiring company.

Some of the highest-paying cities for Veterinarian in California include Rancho Cucamonga, CA at $163,767 per year, Elk Grove, CA at $157,921 per year, and San Diego, CA at $151,931 per year.

Based on recent job postings on Indeed, some of the top-paying companies for Veterinarian in California include Integrity Placement Group ($500,000 per year) and Aequor ($465,400 per year).