State comparison · 2025
Veterinarians salary: California vs South Dakota
Veterinarians in California earn a median of $163,920. In South Dakota, $88,650. After cost-of-living, the gap is 48% — not 84.9%.
Nominal pay gap
+84.9%
California vs South Dakota
COL-adjusted gap
+48%
After BEA Regional Price Parities
California
Veterinarians
- Median
- $163,920
- p25
- $125,460
- p75
- $211,840
- p10
- $74,850
- p90
- $286,330
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 110.7
- Hiring velocity (180d)
- -52%
South Dakota
Veterinarians
- Median
- $88,650
- p25
- $74,860
- p75
- $114,400
- p10
- $61,640
- p90
- $128,920
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 88.6
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities (overall index). Hiring velocity from DOL OFLC public disclosure data, recent 180 days vs prior. See methodology.