Veterinarian salary in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Veterinarians in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn a median of $122,130 a year ($58.72 an hour), based on BLS data for 330 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $178,260 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $130,100. Pay here is about the same as the South Carolina statewide median of $122,130. There are 0.83 veterinarians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $124,830, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for veterinarians in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,310 | $18.90 |
| 25th percentile | $97,920 | $47.08 |
| Median | $122,130 | $58.72 |
| 75th percentile | $160,730 | $77.27 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $178,260 | $85.70 |
| Average (mean) | $124,830 | $60.02 |
Half of veterinarians earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $10,177.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,088.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,697.31 |
| Weekly | $2,348.65 |
| Hourly | $58.72 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $122,130 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Veterinarian salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Columbia, SC | $129,960 | 210 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $129,080 | 750 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC | $128,630 | 80 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $123,920 | 320 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $121,420 | 50 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $120,110 | 140 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC | $103,490 | 50 |
Highest-paying states for veterinarians
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| California | $163,920 |
| Maryland | $163,170 |
| Washington | $160,510 |
| New Jersey | $160,140 |
| Arizona | $152,020 |
| Massachusetts | $140,260 |
| District of Columbia | $134,530 |
| Illinois | $133,580 |
| Pennsylvania | $133,520 |
| Minnesota | $133,110 |
See Veterinarian pay in every state or the South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $92,800 | $44.62 |
| Physicians, All Other | $163,900 | $78.80 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $127,780 | $61.43 |
| Pharmacist | $145,950 | $70.17 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,550 | $48.82 |
| Physician Assistant | $128,920 | $61.98 |
| Dental Hygienist | $94,570 | $45.46 |
| Dentists, General | $121,090 | $58.22 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $79,410 | $38.18 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $98,790 | $47.50 |
| Occupational Therapist | $98,530 | $47.37 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $255,650 | $122.91 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $76,550 | $36.80 |
| Chiropractor | $76,750 | $36.90 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 29-1131. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a veterinarian make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The median salary for veterinarians in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area is $122,130 a year, or $58.72 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,310 for the lowest-paid 10% to $178,260 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid veterinarians make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The top 10% of veterinarians in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn at least $178,260 a year. The top 25% earn $160,730 or more.
What is the starting pay for veterinarians in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,310 a year, and a quarter of veterinarians earn $97,920 or less.
How many veterinarians work in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
About 330 veterinarians are employed in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.