Veterinarian salary in District of Columbia
Veterinarians in District of Columbia earn a median of $134,530 a year ($64.68 an hour), based on BLS data for 190 workers.
Pay ranges from $69,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $294,160 for the top 10%. That is 3% higher than the national median of $130,100. District of Columbia ranks 7th of 49 states for veterinarians pay. There are 0.26 veterinarians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.49). The average (mean) salary is $160,520, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for veterinarians in District of Columbia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $69,990 | $33.65 |
| 25th percentile | $132,520 | $63.71 |
| Median | $134,530 | $64.68 |
| 75th percentile | $193,860 | $93.20 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $294,160 | $141.42 |
| Average (mean) | $160,520 | $77.17 |
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 | $11,210.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,605.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,174.23 |
| Weekly | $2,587.12 |
| Hourly | $64.68 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $134,530 salary, see how much house you can afford in District of Columbia at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Veterinarian salary in cities in District of Columbia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $154,350 | 1,740 |
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 |
Related jobs in District of Columbia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $102,540 | $49.30 |
| Physicians, All Other | $77,430 | $37.23 |
| Pharmacist | $153,400 | $73.75 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $135,880 | $65.33 |
| Physical Therapist | $101,640 | $48.87 |
| Occupational Therapist | $109,170 | $52.49 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $223,250 | $107.33 |
| Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other | $151,990 | $73.07 |
| Physician Assistant | $135,140 | $64.97 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $111,950 | $53.82 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $109,380 | $52.59 |
| Dental Hygienist | $137,220 | $65.97 |
| Psychiatrist | $183,080 | $88.02 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $82,150 | $39.50 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in District of Columbia
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 District of Columbia?
The median salary for veterinarians in District of Columbia is $134,530 a year, or $64.68 an hour. Pay ranges from $69,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $294,160 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid veterinarians make in District of Columbia?
The top 10% of veterinarians in District of Columbia earn at least $294,160 a year. The top 25% earn $193,860 or more.
What is the starting pay for veterinarians in District of Columbia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $69,990 a year, and a quarter of veterinarians earn $132,520 or less.
How many veterinarians work in District of Columbia?
About 190 veterinarians are employed in District of Columbia, not counting the self-employed.