Veterinarian Salary in Livermore, CA: $166,164 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Livermore, CA earns a median $166,164/year (≈ $79.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Livermore's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $146,918 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Veterinarians in Livermore, California, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $166,164 in 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $137,334. This attractive compensation comes despite a salary range that varies considerably, with the lower 10th percentile at $96,375 and the upper 90th percentile reaching $257,555. These figures, sourced from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, reflect a local market influenced by various factors including the rising trend of corporate consolidation within the industry. In Livermore, where corporate veterinary practices often set competitive pay scales, veterinarians can expect differing levels of compensation based on practice ownership and business structures.
About the Livermore Market
Salary estimated from California average ($156,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $96,375 | $46.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $129,210 | $62.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $166,164 | $79.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $212,690 | $102.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $257,555 | $123.82 |
Median Salary Position
20.99% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Livermore
In Livermore, CA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $161,180 (2026 est.). At $166,164, the local median is 20.99% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Livermore: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Livermore Veterinarian Pay Compares
Livermore median: $166,164/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Livermore Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $168,695 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | +20.99% more |
Veterinarians in Livermore, CA earn a median of $166,164 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.99% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 1.50% below the California state average of $168,695.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Livermore has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Livermore, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $166,164 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $146,918 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$115,500
2025 BLS Actual
$157,412
2026 Current Est.
$166,164
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Livermore (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $115,500 | Actual |
| 2020 | $120,086 | Actual |
| 2021 | $121,441 | Actual |
| 2022 | $124,937 | Actual |
| 2023 | $144,103 | Actual |
| 2024 | $173,854 | Actual |
| 2025 | $157,412 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $166,164 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $175,403 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Livermore metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $115,500 (2019) to $157,412 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $175,403 by 2027 — a total increase of $59,903 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Livermore 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) | $96,375 – $129,210 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $129,210 – $166,164 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $166,164 – $212,690 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $212,690 – $257,555 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Livermore
The local job market for veterinarians in Livermore is robust, with 21 professionals currently employed in the area. The cost-of-living index stands at 113.1, indicating that while salaries are relatively high, the expenses associated with living in this region also reflect that reality, impacting take-home purchasing power. Corporate practices like VCA and BluePearl, which together account for approximately 25% of the local market, tend to offer competitive salaries and benefits compared to independent practices. Variations in pay can often be attributed to factors such as specialty board certification, production-based compensation, and practice ownership equity. For those looking to maximize their earnings, pursuing additional certifications, negotiating sign-on bonuses—which can range from $50,000 to $150,000 in shortage areas—and understanding the nuances of corporate versus independent practice structures may prove advantageous in leveraging the veterinarian pay landscape in Livermore, CA.
More salary data for Livermore, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can veterinarians make $100K in Livermore?
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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 $157,412 for veterinariansin the Livermore 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 Livermore 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