Location, Location, Location

Publication
Article
Veterinarian's Money Digest®December 2017
Volume 1
Issue 5

When it comes to deciding where in the world to work, locale matters more than you think.

According to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the median annual salary of veterinarians States was $88,770 in 2016. That got us thinking. What do veterinarians earn in different areas of the country? How about in different countries around the world?

Where you live can make all the difference when it comes to finding a great job. It turns out that the United States tops the list of best countries for veterinarians, and excellent wages can be earned throughout our country. What’s more, veterinary employment in the United States is predicted to grow 18 percent between 2016 and 2026.1

If where you decide to live and work is dictated by the salary you can earn in that locale, you’re in luck. Here we present data about the best countries, states and cities for veterinarians just starting their careers and those looking for a change of scenery. Where does your area rank? And are the wallets greener elsewhere?

Best Countries

Data from a survey administered by the Federation of Veterinarians of Europe and information from Payscale.com.2-5

1. United States

Average annual wage: $88,770*

Total employed veterinarians: 107,995

2. Netherlands

Average annual wage: $69,244

Total employed veterinarians: 3,800

3. Switzerland

Average annual wage: $68,722

Total employed veterinarians: 2,100

4. Iceland

Average annual wage: $65,935

Total employed veterinarians: 100

5. Qatar

Average annual wage: $60,959

Total employed veterinarians: Unknown

6. Canada

Average annual wage: $53,915

Total employed veterinarians: 13,736

7. Germany

Average annual wage: $53,650

Total employed veterinarians: 26,800

8. Luxembourg

Average annual wage: $53,040

Total employed veterinarians: 250

9. Denmark

Average annual wage: $51,216

Total employed veterinarians: 2,250

Continue to the next page for the best states for veterinarians. Best States

Data take into account the total number of veterinarians working in each state, the average veterinarian salary per state (both from BLS May 2016 data) and the cost of living in each state (data from the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center).6

1. Oklahoma

Average annual wage: $102,190

Total employed veterinarians: 950

2. Wyoming

Average annual wage: $93,920

Total emplpyed veterinarians: 200

3. Texas

Average annual wage: $100,200

Total employed veterinarians: 4,450

4. Pennsylvania

Average annual wage: $106,340

Total employed veterinarians: 3,030

5. Michigan

Average annual wage: $88,970

Total employed veterinarians: 2,080

6. Virginia

Average annual wage: $107,730

Total employed veterinarians: 2,520

7. North Carolina

Average annual wage: $102,660

Total employed veterinarians: 2,830

8. Indiana

Average annual wage: $94,070

Total employed veterinarians: 1,180

9. New Jersey

Average annual wage: $128,190

Total employed veterinarians: 1,630

10. Idaho

Average annual wage: $93,820

Total employed veterinarians: 460

Continue to the next page for the best cities for veterinarians. Best Cities

Data from a BLS 2016 national compensation survey.7

1. Jacksonville, FL

Median annual salary: $177,160

Entry-level salary: $62,540

Number of employed veterinarians: 230

2. Springfield, MA

Median annual salary: $177,140

Entry-level salary: $87,900

Number of employed veterinarians: 250

3. Oxnard/Thousand Oaks/Ventura, CA

Median annual salary: $176,260

Entry-level salary: $77,480

Number of employed veterinarians: 160

4. Eastern Ohio (nonmetropolitan area), OH

Median annual salary: $168,420

Entry-level salary: $67,730

Number of employed veterinarians: 120

5. Palm Coast, FL

Median annual salary: $166,730

Entry-level salary: $61,670

Number of employed veterinarians: 30

6. Reading, PA

Median annual salary: $145,860

Entry-level salary: $77,240

Number of employed veterinarians: 90

7. Southern Indiana (nonmetropolitan area), IN

Median annual salary: $145,110

Entry-level salary: $72,790

Number of employed veterinarians: 60

8. Atlantic City/Hammonton, NJ

Median annual salary: $133,300

Entry-level salary: $83,280

Number of employed veterinarians: 40

9. Nassau/Suffolk, NY

Median annual salary: $132,050

Entry-level salary: $70,280

Number of employed veterinarians: 720

10. Santa Ana/Anaheim/Irvine, CA

Median annual salary: $129,080

Entry-level salary: $80,090

Number of employed veterinarians: 580

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