Veterinarian salary in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
Veterinarians in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn a median of $163,810 a year ($78.76 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,330 workers.
Pay ranges from $99,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $274,030 for the top 10%. That is 26% higher than the national median of $130,100. Pay here is 2% higher than the Washington statewide median of $160,510. There are 0.64 veterinarians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $169,950, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for veterinarians in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $99,260 | $47.72 |
| 25th percentile | $128,930 | $61.98 |
| Median | $163,810 | $78.76 |
| 75th percentile | $202,000 | $97.12 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $274,030 | $131.75 |
| Average (mean) | $169,950 | $81.71 |
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 | $13,650.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,825.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $6,300.38 |
| Weekly | $3,150.19 |
| Hourly | $78.76 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $163,810 salary, see how much house you can afford in Washington 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $163,520 | 60 |
| Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA | $158,880 | 100 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $158,600 | 90 |
| Yakima, WA | $158,180 | 100 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $156,980 | 40 |
| Spokane-Spokane Valley, WA | $151,820 | 160 |
| Bellingham, WA | $149,760 | 80 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $131,720 | 1,010 |
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 Washington statewide figures.
Related jobs in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $128,260 | $61.66 |
| Pharmacist | $162,870 | $78.30 |
| Physicians, All Other | $330,560 | $158.92 |
| Dental Hygienist | $133,740 | $64.30 |
| Physical Therapist | $107,290 | $51.58 |
| Occupational Therapist | $109,860 | $52.82 |
| Dentists, General | $161,270 | $77.54 |
| Physician Assistant | $167,290 | $80.43 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $108,690 | $52.25 |
| Radiologist | $239,200+ | $115.00+ |
| Respiratory Therapist | $104,220 | $50.11 |
| Anesthesiologist | $646,930 | $311.02 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $87,580 | $42.11 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $340,010 | $163.47 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA
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 Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The median salary for veterinarians in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area is $163,810 a year, or $78.76 an hour. Pay ranges from $99,260 for the lowest-paid 10% to $274,030 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid veterinarians make in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
The top 10% of veterinarians in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area earn at least $274,030 a year. The top 25% earn $202,000 or more.
What is the starting pay for veterinarians in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $99,260 a year, and a quarter of veterinarians earn $128,930 or less.
How many veterinarians work in Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA?
About 1,330 veterinarians are employed in the Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA metro area, not counting the self-employed.