Veterinarian Salary in Chico, CA: $169,086 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Chico, CA earns a median $169,086/year (≈ $81.29/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Chico's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 101.2), that paycheck buys what $167,086 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinarians in Chico, California, earn a median annual salary of $169,086, demonstrating a competitive edge over the national median of $137,334. The local salary range varies widely, from $76,637 at the 10th percentile to as much as $261,525 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the diverse career pathways available within the veterinary profession. Data derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) surveys reveals a demanding yet rewarding landscape where a large portion of earnings can be influenced by production-based compensation models. In a market where the veterinary field is evolving rapidly, capturing the nuances of revenue generation becomes key to succeeding in Chico’s job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $76,637 | $36.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $111,809 | $53.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $169,086 | $81.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $185,437 | $89.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $261,525 | $125.73 |
Median Salary Position
23.12% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chico
In Chico, CA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $184,888 (2026 est.). At $169,086, the local median is 23.12% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chico: You'd be above the median
How Chico Veterinarian Pay Compares
Chico median: $169,086/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chico Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $168,580 | +0.30% more |
| National Average | $137,334 | +23.12% more |
Veterinarians in Chico, CA earn a median of $169,086 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.12% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 0.30% above the California state average of $168,580.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chico has a cost of living 1.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chico, CA has a cost-of-living index of 101.197 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $169,086 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $167,086 — a 1.18% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$106,100
2025 BLS Actual
$160,180
2026 Current Est.
$169,086
2019–2027 Growth
+68.2%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Chico (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $106,100 | Actual |
| 2020 | $110,230 | Actual |
| 2021 | $96,800 | Actual |
| 2022 | $98,960 | Actual |
| 2023 | $129,880 | Actual |
| 2024 | $156,030 | Actual |
| 2025 | $160,180 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $169,086 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $178,487 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chico metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 51.0% from $106,100 (2019) to $160,180 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $178,487 by 2027 — a total increase of $72,387 (68.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chico metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.56% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $76,637 – $111,809 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $111,809 – $169,086 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $169,086 – $185,437 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $185,437 – $261,525 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Chico
With approximately 60 veterinarians currently employed in the Chico area, the local job market is relatively stable, although it faces cost-of-living challenges, reflected in a CoL index of 101.197, which places it slightly above the national average. Compensation varies significantly based on the type of practice, with the highest pay typically found in specialty referral hospitals and corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl, which together account for around 25% of the market. Specialty board certifications in surgery, internal medicine, and emergency care can greatly enhance earning potential, as can practice ownership or participation in production-based compensation models. Given the current demand, incentivized sign-on bonuses ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 are also emerging in shortage areas, making it essential for veterinarians to strategically position themselves for maximum pay. Understanding the dynamics of veterinarian pay in Chico, CA, is crucial for those aspiring to tie their financial aspirations with their passion for animal care.
More salary data for Chico, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $160,180 for veterinariansin the Chico metropolitan area. A 5.56% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.56%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for veterinarians (SOC 29-1131).
Compiled and verified by Dr. Alice Nguyen, DVM, a licensed veterinarian with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov