Veterinarians pay range in Chico
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $72,600 a year or less, while the top 10% make $247,750 or more. The middle half of veterinarians in Chico earn between $105,920 and $175,670.
- $73K10th
- $106K25th
- $160KMedian
- $176K75th
- $248K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $157,360 | $13,113 | $75.65 |
| Median | $160,180 | $13,348 | $77.01 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $105,920 | $8,827 | $50.92 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $175,670 | $14,639 | $84.46 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Veterinarians pay in Chico vs. California and the U.S.
Veterinarians in Chico earn 7% less than the California average ($169,860) and 10% more than the U.S. average ($142,680). At the median the gap is +23% against the U.S. median of $130,100.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chico | $157,360 | $160,180 | $72,600 | $247,750 | 60 |
| California | $169,860 | $163,920 | $74,850 | $286,330 | 9,170 |
| United States | $142,680 | $130,100 | $73,920 | $215,700 | 83,900 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Veterinarians salary after taxes in Chico
On the average salary of $157,360, a single filer in Chico takes home about $108,279 a year, or $9,023 a month and $4,165 every two weeks. Taxes take 31% of gross pay.
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Is Chico a good place for veterinarians? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Chico area are in line with the U.S. average (BEA price parity 101.2), so the average $157,360 buys what about $155,499 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 3.3 times the median wage of all jobs in Chico ($48,050). A typical home costs $401,581, or 2.6 years of this average salary before tax.
Veterinarians salary in other California cities
Chico ranks 15th of 21 California metro areas for this job; San Francisco pays the most ($195,160).
- San Francisco$195,160
- San Jose$192,030
- Sacramento$177,250
- Santa Rosa$171,160
- Santa Cruz$170,430
- Napa$168,500
- Riverside$168,240
- Vallejo$165,130
- Los Angeles$164,460
- Chico$157,360
Highest-paying cities for veterinarians
Anchorage, AK pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($215,060).
- Anchorage, AK$215,060
- San Francisco, CA$195,160
- Tucson, AZ$193,390
- San Jose, CA$192,030
- Phoenix, AZ$186,840
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Veterinarians salary in Chico: questions
How much do veterinarians make an hour in Chico?
$75.65 an hour on average, and $77.01 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level veterinarians salary in Chico?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $72,600 a year and the 25th percentile is $105,920, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the veterinarians take-home pay in Chico?
About $108,279 a year ($9,023 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $157,360. California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Do veterinarians earn more in Chico than elsewhere?
The average here is 10% more than the U.S. average for this job ($142,680).
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 29-1131; area Chico, CA (17020). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 9.3%.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2025 rules). California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.44, this job is 1.4 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
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