Veterinary Salary Estimator
Estimate DVM and vet tech salaries by state, practice type, experience, and cost of living. Powered by BLS OEWS May 2024 data and the AVMA 2024-2025 Professional Development Survey.
DVM Salary Inputs
Select a state first
Select a state to see your estimate
Choose your state from the dropdown and adjust the inputs to calculate your estimated salary.
How This Calculator Works
This salary estimator combines official federal wage data with veterinary industry compensation research to produce an individualized salary estimate. The base salary comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) program, which surveys over 1.1 million establishments annually and publishes state-level wage data for every major occupation including veterinarians (SOC 29-1131) and veterinary technicians (SOC 31-4101).
Adjustment Factors
Raw BLS state averages are adjusted using multipliers derived from the AVMA Professional Development Survey (2024-2025). Practice type multipliers reflect the significant pay differences across veterinary sectors: emergency and specialty roles pay substantially more than food animal or equine practices. Experience multipliers capture career progression from new graduate through senior practitioner. The board certification premium reflects the documented 25-40% salary increase that specialty credentials command in the referral market.
Compensation Models
About 70% of employed DVMs are compensated through a Professional Salary (ProSal) model that combines a guaranteed base with production-based bonuses. The remaining 29% receive salary-only compensation. This tool models both structures using AVMA-reported averages: $121,640 for salary-only positions and $159,733 for ProSal. When ProSal is selected, the tool breaks down the estimated total into its guaranteed base, bonus, and production incentive components.
Cost-of-Living Adjustment
Nominal salary comparisons can be misleading without considering local living costs. The optional metro area COLA applies BLS Regional Price Parity indices to adjust your estimate relative to the national average. A $150,000 salary in San Francisco (COLA index 145) provides the same purchasing power as approximately $103,000 nationally.
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Sources & References
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (2024). Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — Veterinarians (SOC 29-1131) and Veterinary Technicians (SOC 31-4101). May 2024.
- American Veterinary Medical Association (2025). Professional Development Survey 2024-2025 — Salary, compensation methods, and practice type distribution.
- AVMA (2025). Career Outlook Reports, Class of 2025 — Student debt, signing bonuses, and loan repayment data.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics. Regional Price Parities by Metro Area — Cost-of-living indices.
DISCLAIMER
Salary estimates are based on aggregated data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and AVMA surveys. Actual salaries vary widely by employer, location, negotiation, benefits, practice revenue, and individual factors. This tool provides a starting reference point for salary benchmarking and career planning — not a guarantee of specific compensation. For personalized guidance, consult with employers, mentors, or industry salary reports.
Data: BLS OEWS May 2024 • AVMA Survey 2024-2025 • Last updated February 2025
Veterinary Salary Estimator FAQ
How is the salary estimate calculated?
We start with your state's mean DVM salary from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024), then apply multipliers for practice type, years of experience, board certification, and compensation model — all derived from the AVMA 2024-2025 Professional Development Survey. If you select a metro area, a cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) based on BLS regional price parities is applied to reflect local purchasing power.
What is the difference between Salary Only and ProSal compensation?
Salary Only compensation means a fixed annual salary with no production-based bonuses — the national average is $121,640. ProSal (Professional Salary) combines a guaranteed base salary with production-based bonuses and incentives — the national average is $159,733. About 70% of employed DVMs are on a ProSal model. ProSal typically includes a guaranteed base (about 24% of total comp), a bi-weekly bonus component (35%), and a production incentive (41%).
How accurate is this tool?
This tool provides estimates based on aggregated national data from the BLS and AVMA. Actual salaries vary based on individual factors including specific employer, local market conditions, negotiation, benefits packages, practice revenue, and more. Use this as a starting reference point for salary benchmarking, not as a guarantee of specific compensation. We recommend consulting with employers, mentors, and AVMA salary reports for personalized guidance.
What does the board certification premium represent?
Veterinarians with board certification from specialty colleges (such as ACVIM, ACVS, ACVO, ACVD, and others) typically earn 25-40% more than general practitioners in comparable positions. This calculator uses a conservative 30% premium as the midpoint of that range. Actual specialist salaries vary widely by specialty and geographic location.
How does the cost-of-living adjustment work?
The COLA adjusts your nominal salary estimate to reflect purchasing power in a specific metro area. For example, a $150,000 salary in San Francisco (COLA index 145) reflects 45% higher living costs than the national average, meaning your purchasing power is equivalent to roughly $103,000 nationally. Conversely, the same salary in a metro with a COLA index of 90 gives you 10% more purchasing power than average.
What is the debt-to-income ratio and why does it matter?
The debt-to-income (DTI) ratio divides your total educational debt by your estimated annual salary. The average veterinary graduate carries $212,499 in debt with a DTI of approximately 1.4:1. A DTI below 1.5:1 is generally considered manageable for professional loans. Monthly payments on a standard 10-year repayment plan typically consume 12-20% of gross salary. Income-driven repayment plans and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) are available for qualifying positions.
When is the salary data updated?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data is published annually, typically in May for the prior year's May reference period. We update this tool within weeks of each new BLS release. AVMA compensation survey data is updated annually from the Professional Development Survey. The current data reflects May 2024 BLS figures and the 2024-2025 AVMA survey.
Does this tool cover veterinary technician salaries?
Yes. Use the "Veterinary Technician" tab to estimate vet tech salaries by state and experience level. Vet tech compensation uses a simpler model (no practice type or board certification adjustments) because there is less structural variation in vet tech compensation. The national mean vet tech salary is $46,280 and the median is $45,980 (BLS May 2024).