RateOrchard
METRO DATA PROFILE · 2024

Veterinarians salary in Los Angeles, California

Metro-level median, range, and employment from BLS Occupational Employment Statistics for the Los Angeles metropolitan area. Skills and task data from O*NET. State and national figures shown for context.

Adrian Serafin, founder and editor of RateOrchardBy Adrian SerafinFounderUpdated April 30, 2026
Median annual$138,430
Mean annual$159,330
Range (10th to 90th)Not published
Los Angeles, California employment2,470
State vs national+12.7% vs national

Salary distribution

Where Los Angeles veterinarians fall on the wage curve.

Distribution not available

The Bureau of Labor Statistics suppresses wage percentiles for this occupation and state when the surveyed cell has too few employers to publish without revealing individual firm pay. National figures and adjacent states below remain a useful reference.

Typical entry

  • Education

    Doctoral or professional degree

  • Experience

    None

  • On-the-job training

    None

Top skills (O*NET)

  • Biology

    Knowledge

    4.7 / 5
  • Medicine and Dentistry

    Knowledge

    4.7 / 5
  • Customer and Personal Service

    Knowledge

    4.5 / 5
  • English Language

    Knowledge

    4.3 / 5
  • Reading Comprehension

    Basic skill

    4.1 / 5
  • Active Listening

    Basic skill

    4.1 / 5
  • Oral Comprehension

    Ability

    4.1 / 5
  • Written Comprehension

    Ability

    4.1 / 5

Common tasks (O*NET)

  1. 01

    Treat sick or injured animals by prescribing medication, setting bones, dressing wounds, or performing surgery.

  2. 02

    Inoculate animals against various diseases, such as rabies or distemper.

  3. 03

    Examine animals to detect and determine the nature of diseases or injuries.

  4. 04

    Collect body tissue, feces, blood, urine, or other body fluids for examination and analysis.

  5. 05

    Operate diagnostic equipment, such as radiographic or ultrasound equipment, and interpret the resulting images.

  6. 06

    Educate the public about diseases that can be spread from animals to humans.

  7. 07

    Counsel clients about the deaths of their pets or about euthanasia decisions for their pets.

  8. 08

    Specialize in a particular type of treatment, such as dentistry, pathology, nutrition, surgery, microbiology, or internal medicine.

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Other metros in California

How the Los Angeles metro compares to other major California metro areas for veterinarians.

Frequently asked questions

What is the median salary for Veterinarians in Los Angeles, California?
According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, the median annual wage for Veterinarians in the Los Angeles metropolitan area is $138,430.
Does Los Angeles pay more than the California state average for Veterinarians?
The Los Angeles metro median is -12.9% versus the California state median of $158,950.
How does Los Angeles compare to the national median for Veterinarians?
The Los Angeles metro median is +12.7% versus the BLS national figure of $122,859.
What education is required for Veterinarians?
BLS lists the typical entry-level education as Doctoral or professional degree. Many employers also weigh prior experience and credentials.
Disclaimer

Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. BLS metro estimates reflect the Los Angeles CBSA boundary for the reference year shown and may not match individual offers, employer-specific ranges, or current market conditions. Confirm with a licensed professional before making career or compensation decisions.