Veterinarian salary in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
Veterinarians in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn a median of $154,350 a year ($74.21 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,740 workers.
Pay ranges from $79,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $271,770 for the top 10%. That is 19% higher than the national median of $130,100. Pay here is 15% higher than the District of Columbia statewide median of $134,530. There are 0.55 veterinarians per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $163,670, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for veterinarians in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $79,360 | $38.16 |
| 25th percentile | $126,260 | $60.70 |
| Median | $154,350 | $74.21 |
| 75th percentile | $197,920 | $95.15 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $271,770 | $130.66 |
| Average (mean) | $163,670 | $78.69 |
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 | $12,862.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $6,431.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $5,936.54 |
| Weekly | $2,968.27 |
| Hourly | $74.21 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $154,350 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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $162,930 | 700 |
| Lexington Park, MD | $159,990 | 50 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $139,810 | 1,790 |
| Morgantown, WV | $132,990 | 50 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $127,460 | 90 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $122,010 | 500 |
| Roanoke, VA | $121,940 | 100 |
| Richmond, VA | $121,670 | 420 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $119,990 | 50 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $118,830 | 40 |
| Wheeling, WV-OH | $118,600 | 30 |
| Charleston, WV | $112,140 | 50 |
| Huntington-Ashland, WV-KY-OH | $111,400 | 60 |
| 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 District of Columbia statewide figures.
Related jobs in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Registered Nurse | $102,710 | $49.38 |
| Physicians, All Other | $208,710 | $100.34 |
| Healthcare Diagnosing or Treating Practitioners, All Other | $166,230 | $79.92 |
| Pharmacist | $150,540 | $72.38 |
| Physical Therapist | $102,980 | $49.51 |
| Nurse Practitioner | $134,840 | $64.83 |
| Speech-Language Pathologist | $99,960 | $48.06 |
| Dentists, General | $184,540 | $88.72 |
| Physician Assistant | $148,200 | $71.25 |
| Occupational Therapist | $102,960 | $49.50 |
| Dental Hygienist | $119,170 | $57.30 |
| Respiratory Therapist | $101,990 | $49.03 |
| Family Medicine Physician | $225,140 | $108.24 |
| General Internal Medicine Physician | $223,250 | $107.33 |
More: Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations · all salaries in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV
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 Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The median salary for veterinarians in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area is $154,350 a year, or $74.21 an hour. Pay ranges from $79,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $271,770 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid veterinarians make in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
The top 10% of veterinarians in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area earn at least $271,770 a year. The top 25% earn $197,920 or more.
What is the starting pay for veterinarians in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $79,360 a year, and a quarter of veterinarians earn $126,260 or less.
How many veterinarians work in Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV?
About 1,740 veterinarians are employed in the Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV metro area, not counting the self-employed.