Veterinarian salary in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
Veterinarians in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn a median of $122,010 a year ($58.66 an hour), based on BLS data for 500 workers.
Pay ranges from $54,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $212,610 for the top 10%. That is 6% lower than the national median of $130,100. Pay here is 4% lower than the Virginia statewide median of $126,730. There are 0.66 veterinarians per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $136,830, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for veterinarians in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $54,850 | $26.37 |
| 25th percentile | $92,600 | $44.52 |
| Median | $122,010 | $58.66 |
| 75th percentile | $168,240 | $80.89 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $212,610 | $102.22 |
| Average (mean) | $136,830 | $65.78 |
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 | $10,167.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $5,083.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $4,692.69 |
| Weekly | $2,346.35 |
| Hourly | $58.66 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $122,010 salary, see how much house you can afford in Virginia 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $154,350 | 1,740 |
| Durham-Chapel Hill, NC | $132,500 | 210 |
| Wilmington, NC | $131,670 | 190 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $130,350 | 520 |
| Asheville, NC | $130,330 | 190 |
| Greensboro-High Point, NC | $129,910 | 180 |
| Burlington, NC | $129,800 | 40 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $129,080 | 750 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $128,530 | 150 |
| Greenville, NC | $128,250 | 50 |
| Fayetteville, NC | $128,190 | 60 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $127,460 | 90 |
| Pinehurst-Southern Pines, NC | $126,190 | 50 |
| Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton, NC | $124,970 | 70 |
| Roanoke, VA | $121,940 | 100 |
| Richmond, VA | $121,670 | 420 |
| Jacksonville, NC | $120,430 | 40 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $119,990 | 50 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $118,830 | 40 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $107,870 | 70 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $105,300 | 60 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $105,090 | 70 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $97,960 | 60 |
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 Virginia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $89,450 | $43.00 |
| Pharmacist | $136,280 | $65.52 |
| Physical Therapist | $100,840 | $48.48 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $124,530 | $59.87 |
| Physicians, All Other | $266,280 | $128.02 |
| Dental Hygienist | $98,890 | $47.54 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $97,870 | $47.05 |
| Occupational Therapist | $99,400 | $47.79 |
| Physician Assistant | $126,430 | $60.78 |
| Dentists, General | $177,400 | $85.29 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $80,990 | $38.94 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $213,690 | $102.73 |
| Dietitians and Nutritionists | $76,600 | $36.83 |
| Cardiologist | $430,900 | $207.16 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC
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 Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The median salary for veterinarians in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area is $122,010 a year, or $58.66 an hour. Pay ranges from $54,850 for the lowest-paid 10% to $212,610 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid veterinarians make in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
The top 10% of veterinarians in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area earn at least $212,610 a year. The top 25% earn $168,240 or more.
What is the starting pay for veterinarians in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $54,850 a year, and a quarter of veterinarians earn $92,600 or less.
How many veterinarians work in Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC?
About 500 veterinarians are employed in the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area, not counting the self-employed.