Veterinarian Salary in Concord, CA: $172,887 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Concord, CA earns a median $172,887/year (≈ $83.12/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Concord's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $152,862 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.5% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, the veterinarian salary in Concord, California, is projected to reach a median of $172,887, placing it significantly above the national median of $137,334. This reflects a premium on specialty board certifications, with salaries ranging from $100,275 at the 10th percentile to $267,976 at the 90th percentile, indicating substantial earning potential for skilled practitioners. These salary estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost factors, illustrating the competitive compensation landscape in the area. Given the presence of various specialties, including surgery and internal medicine, Concord’s job market is especially favorable for veterinarians who have pursued advanced training and certification.
The local job market employs 29 veterinarians, indicating a stable demand in the region. However, Concord’s cost-of-living index of 113.1 means that while salaries are attractive, purchasing power may be moderated by higher expenses. Major employers include corporate chains such as VCA, BluePearl, and NVA, which represent close to 25% of the market and typically offer competitive pay. The spread between lower and higher salaries largely reflects factors such as specialty training, experience, and the structure of the practice, with corporate-owned facilities often providing higher base salaries along with opportunities for production-based compensation. New graduates might find lucrative sign-on bonuses ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 in shortage areas, reinforcing the necessity for candidates in Concord to consider both the immediate financial benefits and the long-term prospects of practice ownership or partnership when navigating their career paths.
About the Concord Market
Salary estimated from California average ($156,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $100,275 | $48.21 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $130,648 | $62.81 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $172,887 | $83.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $221,296 | $106.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $267,976 | $128.84 |
Median Salary Position
25.89% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Concord
In Concord, CA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $167,701 (2026 est.). At $172,887, the local median is 25.89% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Concord: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Concord Veterinarian Pay Compares
Concord median: $172,887/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Concord Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $168,670 | +2.50% more |
| National Average | $137,334 | +25.89% more |
Veterinarians in Concord, CA earn a median of $172,887 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.89% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 2.50% above the California state average of $168,670.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Concord has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Concord, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $172,887 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $152,862 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$120,173
2025 BLS Actual
$163,781
2026 Current Est.
$172,887
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Concord (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $120,173 | Actual |
| 2020 | $124,944 | Actual |
| 2021 | $126,354 | Actual |
| 2022 | $129,993 | Actual |
| 2023 | $149,933 | Actual |
| 2024 | $180,888 | Actual |
| 2025 | $163,781 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $172,887 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $182,500 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Concord metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $120,173 (2019) to $163,781 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $182,500 by 2027 — a total increase of $62,327 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Concord 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) | $100,275 – $130,648 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $130,648 – $172,887 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $172,887 – $221,296 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $221,296 – $267,976 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
More salary data for Concord, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinarians make in Concord, CA in 2026?
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Can veterinarians make $100K in Concord?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted veterinarian salary in Concord?
How much does a veterinarian make per hour in Concord?
Related Pages
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Nearby Cities in California
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 $163,781 for veterinariansin the Concord 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
Salary data for Concord is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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