Veterinarians pay range in Santa Cruz
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $68,430 a year or less, while the top 10% make $298,830 or more. The middle half of veterinarians in Santa Cruz earn between $122,550 and $219,300.
- $68K10th
- $123K25th
- $165KMedian
- $219K75th
- $299K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $170,430 | $14,202 | $81.94 |
| Median | $164,820 | $13,735 | $79.24 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $122,550 | $10,212 | $58.92 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $219,300 | $18,275 | $105.43 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Veterinarians pay in Santa Cruz vs. California and the U.S.
Veterinarians in Santa Cruz earn about the same as the California average ($169,860) and 19% more than the U.S. average ($142,680). At the median the gap is +27% against the U.S. median of $130,100.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Cruz | $170,430 | $164,820 | $68,430 | $298,830 | 130 |
| 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 Santa Cruz
On the average salary of $170,430, a single filer in Santa Cruz takes home about $115,997 a year, or $9,666 a month and $4,461 every two weeks. Taxes take 32% 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 Santa Cruz a good place for veterinarians? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Santa Cruz area are 10% above the U.S. average (BEA price parity 109.9), so the average $170,430 buys what about $155,083 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 3.0 times the median wage of all jobs in Santa Cruz ($54,730). A typical home costs $1,157,157, or 6.8 years of this average salary before tax.
Veterinarians salary in other California cities
Santa Cruz ranks 5th 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
- San Diego$163,070
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
Does this match what you are paid?
Anonymous, no account. Results update as visitors answer.
Share your pay anonymously
Veterinarians salary in Santa Cruz: questions
How much do veterinarians make an hour in Santa Cruz?
$81.94 an hour on average, and $79.24 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level veterinarians salary in Santa Cruz?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $68,430 a year and the 25th percentile is $122,550, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the veterinarians take-home pay in Santa Cruz?
About $115,997 a year ($9,666 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $170,430. California State Disability Insurance (1.3% of wages, paid by employees) is not included.
Do veterinarians earn more in Santa Cruz than elsewhere?
The average here is 19% 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 Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA (42100). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 3.2%.
- 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 2.41, this job is 2.4 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.