Salary distribution
Where San Francisco veterinarians fall on the wage curve.
Shaded band = interquartile range (where most full-time workers fall)
The middle 50% of workers earn between $138,880 and $243,550, with a median of $208,080.
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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Explore coursesOther metros in California
How the San Francisco metro compares to other major California metro areas for veterinarians.
- San Jose$192,160
- Sacramento$165,260
- Riverside$160,860
- Los Angeles$160,080
- San Diego$159,750
Frequently asked questions
- What is the median salary for Veterinarians in San Francisco, California?
- According to BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, the median annual wage for Veterinarians in the San Francisco metropolitan area is $208,080.
- Does San Francisco pay more than the California state average for Veterinarians?
- The San Francisco metro median is +26.9% versus the California state median of $163,920.
- How does San Francisco compare to the national median for Veterinarians?
- The San Francisco metro median is +57.4% versus the BLS national figure of $132,165.
- What is the salary range for Veterinarians in San Francisco?
- BLS reports the 10th-percentile annual wage at $89,130 and the 90th-percentile at $295,420 for the San Francisco metro area.
- 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 Francisco 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.