Veterinarian Salary

Hemet vs Los Angeles: Veterinarian Salary (2026)

Compare veterinarian salaries between Hemet, CA and Los Angeles, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Hemet, CA
$169,023
$81.26/hr
Los Angeles, CA
$168,980
$81.24/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHemet, CALos Angeles, CA
Median Salary$169,023$168,980
Hourly Rate$81.26$81.24
Entry Level (P10)$98,034$71,158
25th Percentile$128,463$128,350
75th Percentile$211,657$223,882
Top Earner (P90)$261,985$299,843
Total Employed142,740
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Hemet ($169,023) and Los Angeles ($168,980) veterinarian salaries.HemetLos AngelesMedian Salary$169,023$168,980Entry Level (P10)$98,034$71,158Top Earner (P90)$261,985$299,843US Median $137,334

Verdict

Hemet and Los Angeles are closely matched on overall veterinarian compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Hemet and Los Angeles is $43 (0.03%). Hemet's median is +23.07% compared to the US national median of $137,334.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Hemet spans $163,951,Los Angeles spans $228,685. Los Angeles has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinarians.

Hemet
P10 (Entry)$98,034
P25$128,463
Median$169,023
P75$211,657
P90 (Top)$261,985
Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$71,158
P25$128,350
Median$168,980
P75$223,882
P90 (Top)$299,843

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Hemet ($149,446 effective) pays 0.44% more than Los Angeles ($148,795 effective).

Hemet
Nominal: $169,023
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $149,446
Los Angeles
Nominal: $168,980
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $148,795

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Hemet if…

  • Higher median salary ($169,023/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $149,446)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($299,843)
  • Larger job market (2,740 employed)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinarian salaries in Hemet grew -9.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 54.1% growth in Los Angeles over the same period.

Hemet, CA

+-9.5%

$176,845 (2024) → $160,120 (2025)

Los Angeles, CA

+54.1%

$103,870 (2019) → $160,080 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinarians more: Hemet or Los Angeles?

Hemet has a higher median veterinarian salary at $169,023/year, compared to Los Angeles at $168,980/year — a difference of $43 (0.03%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Hemet and Los Angeles?

Hemet veterinarians earn $81.26/hr while Los Angeles hygienists earn $81.24/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Hemet to Los Angeles as a veterinarian?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Hemet and Los Angeles. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Hemet = $149,446, Los Angeles = $148,795), job availability (14 vs 2,740 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinarians earn in Hemet vs Los Angeles?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinarians earn $98,034 in Hemet and $71,158 in Los Angeles. The Hemet area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Dr. Alice Nguyen, DVM

Career Analyst

Dr. Alice Nguyen has 10 years of experience in veterinary medicine. She specializes in small animal surgery. She currently works at a suburban veterinary clinic.

Clinically reviewed by Dr. Samuel Patel, DVMData verified by Dr. Maria Gomez, DVM

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.56% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Dr. Alice Nguyen, DVM, a licensed veterinarian with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov