If you’re an animal lover and you want to get the most out of your career, keep reading our list of the best states for veterinarians.
A vet is a person who is qualified to treat diseased or injured animals. It takes many years of schooling and a valid license to work as a veterinarian, as they are medical professionals for animals. They also consult and teach people how to care for their animals. If you’ve ever had a pet get sick, you know the importance of having a knowledgeable vet who can work under pressure and make good decisions to treat your pet.
Veterinarians are needed everywhere because people always have pets that need care. If you are a vet or thinking about becoming one, there are factors for your quality of life that you’ll need to consider. As long as you’re well-educated you can likely get a job anywhere. You can check out our list of the 7 Most Affordable Veterinary Schools in the US to see where it is cost-efficient to study. If you’re educated and dedicated, you’ll have a solid client base and people will trust you to care for the most precious members of their family.
Stock-Asso/Shutterstock.com
While deciding on the field you’re going to enter to continue your education, other than your love for animals you’ll need to consider how much money you can make. Of course, you’re going to want to make a good amount if you’re spending a lot of time and money in school to become qualified. According to Money US News, the average salary range is anywhere from $53,210 to $158,260. This list will help you find out what states will pay you closer to the high end of that range.
In order to create this list, we took a look at a few criteria. The Bureau of Labor Statistics helped us find the average salary per state and how many vets are in each state, which we used as a starting point. We then used MERIC to find the cost of living in each state. Those three points were then averaged, as they’re all equally important. We ranked them based off of the average figure.
Pack your bags and your stethoscope and get moving to the best states for veterinarians.
25. Tennessee
Cost of living index: 89.8
Average annual wage: $84,500
Hourly wage: $40.62
You may find it interesting that more than 1,300 veterinarians are already working in Tennessee.
24. Utah
Cost of living index: 92.8
Average annual wage: $87,410
Hourly wage: $42.02
For a well-educated veterinarian, Utah is the perfect place because you can live, work and earn great. Also, more than 390 veterinarians are already working here. Start packing!
Goodluz/Shutterstock.com
23. Arizona
Cost of living index: 98.1
Average annual wage: $92,700
Hourly wage: $44.56
In Arizona, you can enjoy your life in great conditions and you can cover your expenses every month without a problem like 1,450 veterinarians are already doing.
didesign021/Shutterstock.com
22. Georgia
Cost of living index: 91.4
Average annual wage: $86,440
Hourly wage: $41.55
If you want to help the innocent animals who are suffering from all kinds of diseases and injuries, but you also want to cover your expenses at home and not to worry about the monthly rent, you should consider moving to Georgia. More than 2,040 veterinarians already found their place in Georgia and they are earning more than $86,440 every year.
Jenoche/Shutterstock.com
21. Ohio
Cost of living index: 93
Average annual wage: $88,490
Hourly wage: $42.54
More than 2,470 veterinarians are already working in Ohio and they surely made the right decision. If you are doubting, you should take a look at the numbers which will decide everything for you.
Lucky Business/Shutterstock.com
20. Kentucky
Cost of living index: 90.8
Average annual wage: $86,920
Hourly wage: $41.78
With a diploma in your hand, and a decision on your mind waiting to be decided, it surely is not easy, but you should consider a few things while you are searching for the best states to move as a veterinarian. In Kentucky, the cost of living index is 90.8, so it is no wonder why 940 veterinarians chose to live and work here.
Syda Productions/Shutterstock.com
19. Arkansas
Cost of living index: 88.5
Average annual wage: $84,730
Hourly wage: $40.73
You should give Arkansas a serious thought because you will be surprised to know that 540 veterinarians are already working here. Despite the annual salary of $84,730, you should know that the cost of living index is 88.5 which will allow you to enjoy everything you ever wanted.
Di Studio/Shutterstock.com
18. Connecticut
Cost of living index: 130.7
Average annual wage: $125,630
Hourly wage: $60.39
With these numbers, you know that in Connecticut, you can work as a veterinarian, but also enjoy all of its offerings and living conditions in a luxurious way.
17. Florida
Cost of living index: 99
Average annual wage: $96,050
Hourly wage: $46.17
Who doesn’t want to live and work in one of the most beautiful states? Luckily, as a veterinarian, you can easily move here and earn a lot while you are doing your dream job. 3,570 veterinarians are already working in Florida.
16. Missouri
Cost of living index: 90.8
Average annual wage: $88,250
Hourly wage: $42.42
Missouri is one of the states that offers the most suitable conditions for veterinarians like you, which is why it ranks on this list of the 25 best states for veterinarians.
15. Iowa
Cost of living index: 91.7
Average annual wage: $90,020
Hourly wage: $43.27
In Iowa, more than 1,120 veterinarians are already working and earning more than $90,020 every year.
VGstockstudio/Shutterstock.com
14. Mississippi
Cost of living index: 86
Average annual wage: $85,450
Hourly wage: $41.08
Mississippi definitely should be a place you consider to move as a veterinarian because more than 470 veterinarians are already working.
13. New Mexico
Cost of living index: 95.7
Average annual wage: $95,150
Hourly wage: $45.74
While creating this list, we took a look at the numbers and as it appears, it’s pretty great to live in New Mexico as a veterinarian.
wavebreakmedia/Shutterstock.com
12. Delaware
Cost of living index: 102.6
Average annual wage: $102,780
Hourly wage: $49.41
Delaware is a very small state, but they have the space for big dreams like yours to come true. 200 veterinarians are already working in Delaware. It’s an affordable state where you can live and work as a veterinarian.
11. Rhode Island
Cost of living index: 122.1
Average annual wage: $125,200
Hourly wage: $60.19
Rhode Island offers it all: great conditions, low living cost, and a great salary. It’s a perfect place for you to move and continue your career as a veterinarian like 210 veterinarians already did.
Lucky Business/Shutterstock.com
10. Idaho
Cost of living index: 89.6
Average annual wage: $92,290
Hourly wage: $44.37
Idaho, that ranked 10th on our list of best states for veterinarians borders with Washington, Oregon, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming and Montana and more than 40 veterinarians already settled here and are earning great every year.
9. New Jersey
Cost of living index: 121
Average annual wage: $127,130
Hourly wage: $61.12
Even though it is a small state, it is also one of the most beautiful and will offer you the chance to enjoy it while working.
Lex-art/Shutterstock.com
8. Indiana
Cost of living index: 87.9
Average annual wage: $92,780
Hourly wage: $44.60
Have you ever thought to move in Indiana, the next one on the list of best states for veterinarians? It is not a very big state and it borders with Illinois, Kentucky, Ohio and Michigan but it is big enough to realize your dreams while you are doing your job by helping the innocent animals which are injured or with some disease. Start packing because you found the right state for you as a veterinarian.
7. North Carolina
Cost of living index: 94.2
Average annual wage: $99,520
Hourly wage: $47.84
We are continuing our list of best states for veterinarians with North Carolina that is also giving the opportunity to earn great. Despite the fact that it is not a very big state, more than 960 veterinarians are already working here and they are earning an average annual salary of $99,520.
6. Virginia
Cost of living index: 100.2
Average annual wage: $107,820
Hourly wage: $51.83
More than 2,520 veterinarians are already working in Virginia and by the statistics from Bureau of Labor Statistics, they are earning great. Virginia is an affordable state where you can fulfill your dreams and buy everything you ever wanted and more.
5. Michigan
Cost of living index: 88.2
Average annual wage: $94,920
Hourly wage: $45.63
As a veterinarian in Michigan, next in line on our list of best states for veterinarians you will earn an average hourly wage of $45.63. If you’re wondering how much is that on an annual level, it’s $94,920.
4. Pennsylvania
Cost of living index: 102.8
Average annual wage: $112,950
Hourly wage: $54.30
Just a step away from New York, Pennsylvania is the perfect place for you, as a veterinarian, to move, live and work. In Pennsylvania, more than 2,750 veterinarians are already working and if you take a look at the numbers you will be amazed by how much they are earning.
3. Texas
Cost of living index: 90.7
Average annual wage: $99,880
Hourly wage:$48,01
You will be amazed to know that more than 4,310 veterinarians are already working in Texas, the number three on our list of best states for veterinarians.
2. Wyoming
Cost of living index: 91.7
Average annual wage: $106,180
Hourly wage: $51.04
If you want to start living your life in the best living and start working in the best working conditions, you should consider moving here. This is why exactly Wyoming found its way as the second best state for veterinarians like you. 180 of them already live here!
1. Oklahoma
Cost of living index: 88.6
Average annual wage: $106,230
Hourly wage: $51.07
Oklahoma is on the top of our list because the average annual wage is $106,230 and the cost of living index is 88.6. There are 830 veterinarians already working and earning on average $51.07 every hour. Oklahoma will be your best choice if you ever decide to move to another state and work as a veterinarian.
These are the best states for veterinarians, but keep in mind that the numbers are average. We hope we managed to show you the places are the best choice to consider or move in the US as a veterinarian.
