How much do vets make?
Veterinarians earn a national median of about $125,510 per year, or roughly $60.34 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024 data). Pay ranges from under $70,350 at the entry level to more than $212,890 for top earners.
Cost breakdown
| Option | Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (10th percentile) | under $70,350 | Roughly $33.82 per hour; new graduates and early-career roles. |
| Lower quartile (25th percentile) | $98,420 | About $47 per hour; early-career or lower-cost regions. |
| Median (national) | $125,510 | Roughly $60.34 per hour (BLS, May 2024). |
| Upper quartile (75th percentile) | $161,610 | About $78 per hour; experienced or specialized vets. |
| Top earners (90th percentile) | over $212,890 | Board-certified specialists and practice owners earn the most. |
What veterinarians earn in 2026
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage for veterinarians of about $125,510, or roughly $60.34 an hour, based on its May 2024 figures, the most recent official data. Half of all vets earn more than this and half earn less.
The range is wide. The lowest-paid 10 percent earn under $70,350, while the highest-paid 10 percent earn more than $212,890. New graduates often start near or below $100,000, and the American Veterinary Medical Association has reported mean starting compensation for recent graduates around $130,000 including benefits.
What drives the differences
Specialization is the biggest lever. Board-certified specialists, such as veterinary surgeons, ophthalmologists, and anesthesiologists, earn far more than general practitioners, with mean earnings reported well into the $200,000s and beyond. General companion-animal and large-animal vets cluster closer to the median.
Setting, ownership, and location also matter. Practice owners and partners capture business profit on top of salary, and vets in high-demand or high-cost areas earn more. Emergency and specialty hospitals typically pay above general practice, while public-sector and academic roles often pay less.
How veterinarians increase their income
Pursuing board certification in a specialty is the most reliable way to raise pay, since specialists command premium fees and are in short supply. Building emergency or surgical experience also pushes earnings above the general-practice median.
Ownership is the other major path. Buying into or starting a practice converts a salary into business income, and many top earners are practice owners. Taking on additional shifts at emergency hospitals or relief (locum) work can further boost income for employed vets.
Frequently asked questions
- How much do vets make per hour?
- Veterinarians earn a median of about $60.34 per hour, based on the BLS median annual wage of $125,510. Entry-level vets earn closer to $34 per hour.
- Which type of vet makes the most?
- Board-certified specialists earn the most, including surgeons, ophthalmologists, and anesthesiologists, with mean earnings reaching into the $200,000s and higher.
- How much do new vets make starting out?
- New graduates often start near or below $100,000, though the AVMA has reported mean starting compensation around $130,000 including benefits.
Researched and edited by Calvin Lauderdale, Lead Researcher & Editor. Figures on this page were verified against the sources above as of June 23, 2026.