If you’re a veterinarian dissatisfied with your salary, you might want to look at our list of the 11 highest paying states for veterinarians.
For any animal lover, becoming a veterinarian is the ultimate goal, as one gets to treat an extremely diverse array of animals of all species. This career is full of loads of opportunities to learn more about different illnesses that affect only certain animals, and their cures, as the average animal physician is not bound to any single species. Being a vet not only brings much self-satisfaction, but also, in the United States, is an occupation which provides a comfortable annual salary of $99,000 on average. The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) represents veterinarians in the United States, and it requires every vet to take an oath as he or she enters into the profession.
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There are also many specializations available within the scope of veterinary medicine, but such specialists are far less in number as compared to general animal physicians. They are similar to specializations in general medicine, such as oncology, cardiology and surgery, the latter of which includes surgical sub-specialties. Specialists are certified by the American Board of Veterinary Specialties (ABVS), which is an umbrella organization for veterinary specialties within the American Veterinary Medical Association. If, however, veterinary medicine does not seem that lucrative to you, you might want to take a look at our list of the 11 highest paying states for surgeons.
To select the 11 highest paying states for veterinarians, we referred to the Occupational Employment Statistics report issued by the government fact-finding agency, the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The annual and hourly salaries and the number of veterinarians employed are all taken from the same source.
Now that we’ve gone over the basics, let’s traverse through the lucky states which made our list of highest paying states for veterinarians!
11. Virginia
Average Annual Salary: $107,820
Average Hourly Salary: $51.84
We begin our list with the Mother of States, Virginia, whose average annual salary for veterinarians is over $8,000 more than the country’s average. Approximately 2,500 veterinarians find employment here.
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10. Massachusetts
Average Annual Salary: $112,040
Average Hourly Salary: $53.86
Although the Bay State is quite small in area compared to the rest, the number of veterinarians employed here, which is 1,630, is completely in proportion with the fact that it’s the third most densely populated state in the United States. The average vet here rakes in a comfortable annual income of $112,040.
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9. Pennsylvania
Average Annual Salary: $112,950
Average Hourly Salary: $54.31
A founding state of the country, Pennsylvania, marks its spot at number 9. The Quaker State is where 2,750 animal doctors reside so there is definitely no shortage of these specialists. The salary, however, is unaffected by the large supply and remains quite high.
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8. Maryland
Average Annual Salary: $113,130
Average Hourly Salary: $54.39
Much like Massachusetts on number 10, “Little America” is quite small, but well populated, which is why it provides employment to 1,330 animal physicians. We don’t know if you noticed, but the difference in hourly earnings for vets between Maryland and its predecessor is merely 8 cents!
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7. California
Average Annual Salary: $114,870
Average Hourly Salary: $55.22
Next on the list is the Golden State of California, the third largest and the most populous state in the US. In keeping with the size of its population, California employs a whopping 6,010 veterinarians, of which a single doctor makes almost $115K a year.
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6. District of Columbia
Average Annual Salary: $118,580
Average Hourly Salary: $57.01
The sixth spot on this list is occupied by the District of Columbia, the country capital. In stark contrast to the rest, only 100 veterinarians earn their living in D.C., although admittedly, the federal district is smaller than other states.
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5. New York
Average Annual Salary: $123,650
Average Hourly Salary: $59.45
The Empire State follows, with over 3,000 veterinarians working in it. As New York is number 5 among the 11 highest paying states for veterinarians, it is not surprising that the yearly wage amounts to $123,650 for vets here.
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4. Rhode Island
Average Annual Salary: $125,200
Average Hourly Salary: $60.19
The Ocean State is one of the smallest by area on our list, but that in no way diminishes its average yearly income for veterinarians. In keeping with its small population, only 210 animal specialists reside here.
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3. Connecticut
Average Annual Salary: $125,630
Average Hourly Salary: $60.40
The Nutmeg State is where veterinarians net $60 bucks an hour. In spite of its small land area, Connecticut is home to 780 animal physicians.
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2. New Jersey
Average Annual Salary: $127,130
Average Hourly Salary: $61.12
The Garden State cements itself at number 2 with a lucrative income for the average vet working here. New Jersey, a heavily populated state, employs the services of over 1,500 veterinarians.
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1. Hawaii
Average Annual Salary: $198,600
Average Hourly Salary: $95.48
The number 1 spot on our list of the 11 highest paying states for veterinarians is taken up by the Aloha State, Hawaii, by a very large margin. Animal doctors working in this state are certainly well paid, and if you’re a vet dissatisfied with your salary, Hawaii is where you’d definitely want to move, considering that its annual salary is almost seventy thousand dollars more than the state on number two!
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