Veterinarian Salary in Murrieta, CA: $168,282 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Murrieta, CA earns a median $168,282/year (≈ $80.90/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Murrieta's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $148,790 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Veterinarians in Murrieta, California can expect to see a median annual salary of $168,282 in 2026, which is above the national median of $137,334. The salary range spans from $97,783 at the 10th percentile to $260,837 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse earning potential reflective of varying practice types and specializations. These projections derive from 2025 BLS data, adjusted to account for local regional price variations. The structural divide between corporate practices and independent clinics, where veterinarians often see different pay scales, plays a significant role in this earning potential. Understanding this dynamic is essential for job seekers navigating the veterinary job market in Murrieta.
About the Murrieta Market
Salary estimated from California average ($156,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $97,783 | $47.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $131,759 | $63.35 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $168,282 | $80.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $215,400 | $103.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $260,837 | $125.41 |
Median Salary Position
22.53% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Murrieta
In Murrieta, CA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $163,054 (2026 est.). At $168,282, the local median is 22.53% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Murrieta: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Murrieta Veterinarian Pay Compares
Murrieta median: $168,282/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Murrieta Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $168,619 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | +22.53% more |
Veterinarians in Murrieta, CA earn a median of $168,282 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.53% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 0.20% below the California state average of $168,619.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Murrieta has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Murrieta, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $168,282 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $148,790 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$116,972
2025 BLS Actual
$159,418
2026 Current Est.
$168,282
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Murrieta (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $116,972 | Actual |
| 2020 | $121,616 | Actual |
| 2021 | $122,988 | Actual |
| 2022 | $126,530 | Actual |
| 2023 | $145,939 | Actual |
| 2024 | $176,069 | Actual |
| 2025 | $159,418 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $168,282 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $177,638 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Murrieta metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $116,972 (2019) to $159,418 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $177,638 by 2027 — a total increase of $60,666 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Murrieta 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) | $97,783 – $131,759 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $131,759 – $168,282 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $168,282 – $215,400 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $215,400 – $260,837 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Murrieta
As of 2026, with about 25 veterinarians employed in the area, Murrieta's job market presents a favorable environment for veterinarians looking to maximize their salary. The cost of living index stands at 113.1, suggesting that while salaries may be higher than the national average, the increased living expenses should be factored into take-home pay. Large animal practices, mixed animal clinics, and corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl, make up roughly 25% of the market and generally offer competitive compensation, often higher than independent clinics. Factors such as specialty board certification (in areas like surgery or internal medicine), production-based compensation, and ownership equity can lead to significant salary variances. To enhance earning potential, veterinarians should consider pursuing specialties, staying open to corporate opportunities that may offer lucrative sign-on bonuses, or exploring diverse practice settings, positioning themselves strategically within this evolving landscape.
More salary data for Murrieta, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can veterinarians make $100K in Murrieta?
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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 $159,418 for veterinariansin the Murrieta 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 Murrieta 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