SOC 29-1131 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Veterinarians — Modesto
Modesto, CA · 10 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Modesto, CA comes to $162,160 a year, ahead of the national median of $130,100 by 24.6%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Modesto, CA comes to $162,160 a year, ahead of the national median of $130,100 by 24.6%. Pay ranges from under $74,000 at the tenth percentile to more than $258,400 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $123,680 to $198,040.
The area has 120 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.15 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, San Francisco records the highest median at $208,080. Of the 398 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 10th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $74,000 | −43.1% |
| 25th | $123,680 | −4.9% |
| Median (50th) | $162,160 | +24.6% |
| 75th | $198,040 | +52.2% |
| 90th | $258,400 | +98.6% |
| Mean | $159,470 | +22.6% |
Other metro areas in California
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco | $208,080 | 1,350 | |
| 2 | San Jose | $192,160 | 350 | |
| 3 | Napa | $172,600 | 30 | |
| 4 | Sacramento | $165,260 | 830 | |
| 5 | Santa Cruz | $164,820 | 130 | |
| 6 | Salinas | $163,080 | 120 | |
| 7 | Riverside | $160,860 | 660 | |
| 8 | Chico | $160,180 | 60 | |
| 9 | Los Angeles | $160,080 | 2,740 | |
| 10 | San Diego | $159,750 | 1,080 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Modesto run 10.7% above the national average, so the median of $162,160 buys what $146,486 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 12.6% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$162,160as reported by BLSLocal price level
110.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$146,486US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $162,160 a year, 24.6% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $74,000 to $258,400 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 120 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is San Francisco, at $208,080.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Veterinarians in Modesto, CA?
The median annual wage is $162,160, or $77.96 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $130,100, so pay in Modesto, CA is 24.6% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Modesto, CA earns more than $258,400 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $74,000 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in San Francisco, at $208,080 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 120 jobs in this occupation in Modesto, CA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
Explore related data