Veterinarians
Salary, job outlook, AI risk & career information
Veterinarians in the United States earn a median salary of $130,100 per year — about $63 per hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Roughly 86K people work in this occupation nationwide, with projected employment growth of +10%.
AI & Automation Risk
Veterinary work is a hybrid of physical procedures and complex diagnostic knowledge work. While AI will significantly enhance diagnostic accuracy through image analysis (X-rays/ultrasounds) and treatment planning, the core of the job requires physical surgery, manual examinations, and high-stakes interpersonal communication with pet owners that cannot be automated.
Salary by City — What You Actually Take Home
Real purchasing power = salary adjusted for cost of living. Higher = more money in your pocket.
| City | Local Salary | Cost of Living | Real Purchasing Power |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CABEST VALUE | $208,080 | Above avg (117.6) | $177,013 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $192,160 | Above avg (113.1) | $169,964 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $164,620 | Average (98.9) | $166,443 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $163,520 | Average (98.9) | $165,364 |
| Yakima, WA | $158,180 | Average (97.9) | $161,570 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | $163,630 | Average (102.8) | $159,150 |
| Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ | $152,020 | Below avg (95.6) | $159,022 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $162,930 | Above avg (103.2) | $157,902 |
| Lexington Park, MD | $159,990 | Average (102.7) | $155,752 |
| Redding, CA | $159,010 | Above avg (103.0) | $154,377 |
| Napa, CA | $172,600 | Above avg (111.8) | $154,347 |
| Modesto, CA | $162,160 | Above avg (105.1) | $154,252 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | $164,060 | Above avg (106.5) | $154,064 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $161,060 | Above avg (104.7) | $153,865 |
| Pensacola-Ferry Pass-Brent, FL | $146,960 | Below avg (95.8) | $153,324 |