Salary Information for Veterinarians
When a pet is sick or injured, owners visit a veterinarian to get care for the animal. Not all veterinarians work in clinical settings; some may conduct research in laboratories. It can be difficult to get into a veterinary school, since admission is competitive, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Upon graduation, veterinary graduates have the potential to make six-figure salaries, along with the opportunity to work with both people and animals.
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National Salary
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The mean hourly wage for veterinarians was $43.32 and the mean annual wage, or average salary, was $90,110, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in May 2009. The lowest-paid 10 percent earn less than $47,670 and the top 10 percent earn more than $142,910.
Experience
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The PayScale website lists the median salaries of veterinarians based on years of experience. In October 2010, those with less than one year of experience earned a salary of $50,592 to $68,461; one to four years, $55,323 to $75,335; five to nine years, $58,606 to $85,161; 10 to 19 years, $60,227 to $91,352; and 20 years or more, $60,227 to $101,752.
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High Employment
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The professional, scientific and technical services industry employed the largest number of veterinarians, with an average salary of $90,470, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in May 2009. Other industries that employed large numbers of veterinarians were: the federal executive branch, $84,200; colleges, universities and professional schools, $72,350; state governments, $88,820; and social advocacy organizations, $87,980.
Top-Paying Industries
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Medical diagnostic laboratories paid the highest average salary, above all other industries, with $114,590, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in May 2009. Other industries that offered high pay were: pharmaceutical and medicine manufacturing, $107,200; scientific research and development services, $97,620; professional, scientific and technical services industry, $90,470; and state governments, $88,820. The professional, scientific and technical services industry and state governments employed large numbers of veterinarians and also provided them with relatively high salaries.
Top-Paying States
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The highest average salary was paid in New Jersey, above all other states, with $117,170, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics in May 2009. Other states that offered high pay were: Connecticut, $116,150; Florida, $105,540; California, $99,940; and South Carolina, $99,630.
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