Veterinarian Salary in Upland, CA: $163,080 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Upland, CA earns a median $163,080/year (≈ $78.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Upland's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $144,191 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for veterinarians in Upland, California is $163,080, reflecting a more favorable compensation climate than the national median of $137,334. The salary range for this profession in Upland extends from $94,586 at the lower end to an impressive $252,774 for the top earners. These figures come from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local cost considerations. Factors such as whether a veterinarian is employed by a corporate practice or operates independently can significantly influence earnings in this market, contributing to the disparity in salary levels and shaping the overall job landscape in Upland.
About the Upland Market
Salary estimated from California average ($156,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $94,586 | $45.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $126,765 | $60.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $163,080 | $78.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $208,742 | $100.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $252,774 | $121.53 |
Median Salary Position
18.75% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Upland
In Upland, CA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $158,188 (2026 est.). At $163,080, the local median is 18.75% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Upland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Upland Veterinarian Pay Compares
Upland median: $163,080/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Upland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $168,645 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | +18.75% more |
Veterinarians in Upland, CA earn a median of $163,080 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.75% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 3.30% below the California state average of $168,645.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Upland has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Upland, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $163,080 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $144,191 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$113,356
2025 BLS Actual
$154,490
2026 Current Est.
$163,080
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Upland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $113,356 | Actual |
| 2020 | $117,857 | Actual |
| 2021 | $119,186 | Actual |
| 2022 | $122,618 | Actual |
| 2023 | $141,428 | Actual |
| 2024 | $170,626 | Actual |
| 2025 | $154,490 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $163,080 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $172,147 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Upland metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $113,356 (2019) to $154,490 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $172,147 by 2027 — a total increase of $58,791 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Upland 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) | $94,586 – $126,765 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $126,765 – $163,080 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $163,080 – $208,742 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $208,742 – $252,774 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Upland
With 18 veterinarians currently employed in Upland, the local job market is relatively small, but competitive. The cost-of-living index sits at 113.1, indicating higher living expenses compared to the national average, which can impact take-home pay. Among local employers, corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl tend to offer higher compensation packages compared to independent practices; specialty referral hospitals also pay exceptionally well. The substantial pay variance stems from various factors, including the pursuit of board certification, production-based compensation, equity stakes in practice ownership, and the corporate versus independent practice dynamics. For veterinarians looking to maximize their salary in Upland, pursuing additional certifications, exploring opportunities in high-demand specialties, and negotiating sign-on bonuses could provide avenues for enhanced financial returns in an evolving industry.
More salary data for Upland, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinarians make in Upland, CA in 2026?
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Can veterinarians make $100K in Upland?
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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 $154,490 for veterinariansin the Upland 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 Upland 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