Comparison of Veterinarian Salaries by Specialization
The average veterinarian salary in Australia is $108,237 per year. In Hawaii, the average wage is just under $200,000. Mixed animal vets earn an average annual income of $100,000 a year, as do food animal vets treating farm animals. Salaries range from $60,000 a year for general practitioners to $190,000 a year for experienced vets in specialized fields.
Factors Influencing Veterinarians’ Earning Potential
The median annual wage for a US veterinarian in May 2022 was $93,830. Vets’ salaries can range from around $56,000 on the low end to around $162,000 on the high end. Board-certified vets usually average six figures, with the best-paid 25 percent earning $126,260 a year and the lowest-paid 25 percent earning $79,430. Specialty, experience, and job type also impact earning potential.
Is Becoming a Veterinarian Financially Worth It?
Becoming a vet is definitely worth it depending on your individual ambitions and desires. The projected lifetime earnings of a veterinarian compared to the average college grad is $450,000 after taxes versus the $292,000 in cost of paying back student loans. Companion animal practice vets generally earn the most, at an average of $110,000 a year.