Vet careers

What vet jobs pay, who is hiring, and who stays

Pay stated in open job ads, read from employers' own job feeds and careers pages, beside the government's survey figure and never blended with it. Every figure shows how many ads it rests on. Updated Nov 9, 2026.

10th to 90th percentile of posted payMedian in job adsBLS median (a separate source)

Pay by role

An hour

Vet tech$19 to $33 median $25

From 3,935 job ads. BLS median $22.78 an hour, May 2025.Vet assistant$15 to $24 median $20

From 3,115 job ads. BLS median $18.34 an hour, May 2025.Vet receptionist$17 to $23 median $20

From 1,427 job ads. No BLS figure for this role.

A year

Veterinarian$115,000 to $200,000 median $148,000

From 2,787 job ads. BLS median $130,100 a year, May 2025.

Pay by state

Median veterinarian pay a year in job ads, by state, highest first. Tap a state for its page.

Ball size shows how many ads each median rests on. States with fewer than 5 ads stating pay are left out.

Hiring now

3,954practices hiring veterinarians

3,104practices hiring vet techs

2,073practices hiring vet assistants

1,442practices hiring vet receptionists

Cities with the most open roles

The turnover report13.7% of vets leave their practice each yearRange 12.3% to 15.3%, across 3,081 practices. By size, kind and state.For vets and vet techsAdd your pay, anonymouslyYour name is never shown, and checking your license is optional. Share once and see every pay range members have shared.Add your pay

Questions

How much does a veterinarian make?

Job ads across the US offer veterinarians $115,000 to $200,000 a year, median $148,000, from 2,787 ads (Nov 9, 2026). The BLS median was $130,100 a year in May 2025.

How much does a vet tech make?

Job ads across the US offer vet techs $19 to $33 an hour, median $25, from 3,935 ads (Nov 9, 2026). The BLS median was $22.78 an hour in May 2025.

How much does a vet assistant make?

Job ads across the US offer vet assistants $15 to $24 an hour, median $20, from 3,115 ads (Nov 9, 2026). The BLS median was $18.34 an hour in May 2025.

How much does a vet receptionist make?

Job ads across the US offer vet receptionists $17 to $23 an hour, median $20, from 1,427 ads (Nov 9, 2026).

How often do vets leave their practice?

13.7% of vets leave their practice each year (95% range 12.3% to 15.3%), measured across 3,081 practices and 11,320 vets in October 2026.