Basics

• As of July 2010, the PayScale.com Report shows that vets earn a base salary of $57,186 to $81,793. Adding annual bonuses of $953 to $7,542, profit sharing of $1,000 to $10,028 and commissions of $2,065 to $24,197 produces yearly compensation of $58,793 to $87,778.
  
  

Experience

• The greater the experience, the higher the salary. New veterinarians start with a yearly salary of $50,605 to $68,665. At one to four years of experience, they make $55,107 to $75,257 and at five to nine years, they earn $58,590 to $85,315. At 10 to 19 years, they receive $60,396 to $92,120 and at 20 years or more, they get $63,111 to $101,821, says PayScale.com.
  
  

Employer

• The type of employer can affect pay, with the federal government offering the highest income at $64,461 to 102,606, followed by those with their own practices at $54,317 to 97,740. Those working in state and local governments earn $57,854 to 90,590, while those at colleges and universities get $55,970 to 87,841. Finally, those working for companies receive $54,835 to $87,366, while those in nonprofit organizations make $59,213 to $84,418, reports PayScale.com.
  
  

Location

• The city of employment can affect compensation, with New Yorkers earning the most at $62,446 to $100,473, followed by Los Angelenos at $59,233 to $97,606. Those in Atlanta earn $54,841 to $74,777, while those in Houston get $59,818 to $84,913. Finally, those in Chicago receive $59,124 to $82,918, while those in Austin make $60,000 to $92,068, according to PayScale.com.
  
  

Outlook

• According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for vets are expected to increase by 33 percent from 2008 to 2018, which is much faster than average for all occupations. This increase in demand means higher salaries. Most of the growth will come in animal hospitals or clinics, which take care of pets. The increase in tax will be due to the increase in population. Another area of growth will be the increased concern for food and livestock safety and disease control. Research on human medical problems frequently requires the use of animals, which in turn demands monitoring by vets.