Salary distribution
Where San Diego 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)
- 4.7 / 5
Biology
Knowledge
- 4.7 / 5
Medicine and Dentistry
Knowledge
- 4.5 / 5
Customer and Personal Service
Knowledge
- 4.3 / 5
English Language
Knowledge
- 4.1 / 5
Reading Comprehension
Basic skill
- 4.1 / 5
Active Listening
Basic skill
- 4.1 / 5
Oral Comprehension
Ability
- 4.1 / 5
Written Comprehension
Ability
Common tasks (O*NET)
- 01
Treat sick or injured animals by prescribing medication, setting bones, dressing wounds, or performing surgery.
- 02
Inoculate animals against various diseases, such as rabies or distemper.
- 03
Examine animals to detect and determine the nature of diseases or injuries.
- 04
Collect body tissue, feces, blood, urine, or other body fluids for examination and analysis.
- 05
Operate diagnostic equipment, such as radiographic or ultrasound equipment, and interpret the resulting images.
- 06
Educate the public about diseases that can be spread from animals to humans.
- 07
Counsel clients about the deaths of their pets or about euthanasia decisions for their pets.
- 08
Specialize in a particular type of treatment, such as dentistry, pathology, nutrition, surgery, microbiology, or internal medicine.
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How the San Diego metro compares to other major California metro areas for veterinarians.
- San Francisco$187,990
- San Jose$175,050
- Riverside$158,710
- Sacramento$158,420
- Los Angeles$138,430
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Veterinarians in San Diego, California?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, the median annual wage for Veterinarians in the San Diego metropolitan area is $158,260.
- Does San Diego pay more than the California state average for Veterinarians?
- The San Diego metro median is -0.4% versus the California state median of $158,950.
- How does San Diego compare to the national median for Veterinarians?
- The San Diego metro median is +28.8% 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.
Information on this page is for general educational purposes only. It is not career, financial, or tax advice. BLS metro estimates reflect the San Diego 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.