Veterinarian salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
Veterinarians in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area earn a median of $164,820 a year ($79.24 an hour), based on BLS data for 130 workers.
Pay ranges from $68,430 for the lowest-paid 10% to $298,830 for the top 10%. That is 27% higher than the national median of $130,100. Pay here is 1% higher than the California statewide median of $163,920. There are 1.3 veterinarians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $170,430, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for veterinarians in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $68,430 | $32.90 |
| 25th percentile | $122,550 | $58.92 |
| Median | $164,820 | $79.24 |
| 75th percentile | $219,300 | $105.43 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $298,830 | $143.67 |
| Average (mean) | $170,430 | $81.94 |
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 | $13,735 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,867.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,339.23 |
| Weekly | $3,169.62 |
| Hourly | $79.24 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $164,820 salary, see how much house you can afford in California 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 |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $208,080 | 1,350 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $192,160 | 350 |
| Napa, CA | $172,600 | 30 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $165,260 | 830 |
| Salinas, CA | $163,080 | 120 |
| Modesto, CA | $162,160 | 120 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $160,860 | 660 |
| Chico, CA | $160,180 | 60 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $160,080 | 2,740 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $159,750 | 1,080 |
| Redding, CA | $159,010 | 60 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $158,840 | 140 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $158,810 | 290 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $158,770 | 210 |
| Vallejo, CA | $157,710 | 70 |
| Fresno, CA | $157,460 | 170 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $151,990 | 110 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $150,780 | 100 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $144,020 | 90 |
| Visalia, CA | $133,370 | 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 California statewide figures.
Related jobs in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $170,960 | $82.19 |
| Dental Hygienist | $130,600 | $62.79 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $167,190 | $80.38 |
| Physicians, All Other | $305,610 | $146.93 |
| Pharmacist | $161,940 | $77.86 |
| Physical Therapist | $124,790 | $60.00 |
| Physician Assistant | $159,030 | $76.46 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $118,670 | $57.05 |
| Occupational Therapist | $130,420 | $62.70 |
| Dentists, General | $175,950 | $84.59 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $134,880 | $64.85 |
| Acupuncturist | $91,350 | $43.92 |
| Optometrist | $122,150 | $58.73 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $103,760 | $49.88 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
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 Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The median salary for veterinarians in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area is $164,820 a year, or $79.24 an hour. Pay ranges from $68,430 for the lowest-paid 10% to $298,830 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid veterinarians make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
The top 10% of veterinarians in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area earn at least $298,830 a year. The top 25% earn $219,300 or more.
What is the starting pay for veterinarians in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $68,430 a year, and a quarter of veterinarians earn $122,550 or less.
How many veterinarians work in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?
About 130 veterinarians are employed in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro area, not counting the self-employed.