Veterinarian Salary in Visalia, CA: $140,785 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Visalia, CA earns a median $140,785/year (≈ $67.69/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Visalia's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 99.8), that paycheck buys what $141,032 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 16.5% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Visalia, California, the 2026 median annual salary for veterinarians stands at $140,785, reflecting a competitive edge over the national median of $137,334. This figure is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and highlights the structural divide in pay between corporate and independent practice. With a salary range from $100,841 at the 10th percentile to $270,487 at the 90th percentile, veterinarians in the region experience significant variance in compensation. The local job market has around 50 veterinarians employed, suggesting a stable demand for their services, yet the ongoing corporate consolidation trend may further influence salary dynamics in the future.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $100,841 | $48.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $118,364 | $56.91 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $140,785 | $67.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $192,953 | $92.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $270,487 | $130.04 |
Median Salary Position
2.51% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Visalia
In Visalia, CA, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $169,646 (2026 est.). At $140,785, the local median is 2.51% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Visalia: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Visalia Veterinarian Pay Compares
Visalia median: $140,785/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Visalia Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $168,605 | -16.50% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | +2.51% more |
Veterinarians in Visalia, CA earn a median of $140,785 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.51% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 16.50% below the California state average of $168,605.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Visalia has a cost of living 0.17% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Visalia, CA has a cost-of-living index of 99.825 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $140,785 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $141,032 in an average-cost city — an effective 0.18% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$98,750
2025 BLS Actual
$133,370
2026 Current Est.
$140,785
2019–2027 Growth
+50.5%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Visalia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $98,750 | Actual |
| 2020 | $95,420 | Actual |
| 2021 | $96,930 | Actual |
| 2022 | $102,340 | Actual |
| 2023 | $127,560 | Actual |
| 2024 | $131,470 | Actual |
| 2025 | $133,370 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $140,785 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $148,613 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Visalia metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 35.1% from $98,750 (2019) to $133,370 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $148,613 by 2027 — a total increase of $49,863 (50.49%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Visalia 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) | $100,841 – $118,364 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $118,364 – $140,785 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $140,785 – $192,953 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $192,953 – $270,487 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Visalia
The landscape of veterinarian pay in Visalia, CA, is impacted by a cost-of-living index of 99.825, which implies that while salaries are relatively high, the purchasing power may not be as robust compared to other regions. Employers such as corporate chains like VCA and NVA, which comprise approximately 25% of the market, often offer more competitive pay compared to independent practices, especially in the context of specialty fields. Factors influencing the pay spectrum include board certification in areas like surgery or internal medicine, as well as practice ownership opportunities and production-based compensation models. New graduates may find lucrative sign-on bonuses ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 in areas facing shortages, highlighting strategies for enhancing income potential within Visalia's evolving veterinary market.
More salary data for Visalia, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinarians make in Visalia, CA in 2026?
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Can veterinarians make $100K in Visalia?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted veterinarian salary in Visalia?
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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 $133,370 for veterinariansin the Visalia 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