Healthcare · Houston, TX

Veterinarian Salary in Houston, TX (2026)

Median Veterinarian salary in Houston is approximately $105,600/year — 4.0% below the US national average.

Salary breakdown — Houston

$105,600
median annual salary
Hourly (40 hr/week, 52 wk)
2,080 hours/year
$51
Biweekly (26 paychecks)
$4,062
Monthly
$8,800
Annual (gross)
$105,600
vs Texas state average
State avg: $106,700
-$1,100
vs US national
National median: $110,000
-$4,400

After-tax estimate

$82,738
estimated take-home/year
Gross salary
$105,600
Federal tax (~14%)
−$14,784
FICA (7.65%)
−$8,078
Texas state tax
No state income tax
$0
Estimated take-home
$82,738
Monthly take-home
$6,895
For exact take-home, use our Houston Paycheck Calculator.
Veterinarian salary in similar-cost cities
CityCost mult.Estimated annualvs Houston
Fort Worth, TX0.96×$105,600+$0
Tucson, AZ0.96×$105,600+$0
Glendale, AZ0.96×$105,600+$0
Garland, TX0.96×$105,600+$0
Spokane, WA0.96×$105,600+$0

Veterinarian salaries in Houston, TX

The estimated median Veterinarian salary in Houston, Texas is $105,600/year, working out to approximately $51/hour at full-time, $4,062 per biweekly paycheck, or $8,800/month before taxes. Houston's cost-of-living multiplier of 0.96× national reflects local prices, housing costs, and employer concentration in this metro area.

Compared to the Texas state average for this role ($106,700), Houston pays about $1,100 less. This typically reflects how the metro area's cost of living and employer density differ from the state as a whole.

Take-home pay in Houston

Of the gross $105,600, you take home roughly $82,738 after:

  • Federal income tax (~14% effective at this income)
  • FICA — Social Security 6.2% + Medicare 1.45% = 7.65%
  • Texas state income tax (none)
  • Houston has no local income tax

That works out to about $6,895/month after-tax — useful for budgeting rent (typically 25–35% of net income), savings (15–20% target), and other expenses. For an exact calculation including 401(k), HSA, and your filing status, use our Houston Paycheck Calculator.

What affects your actual pay

  • Experience: entry-level often 25–35% below median; senior roles 40–60%+ above.
  • Specific employer: top-tier employers in Houston pay 10–25% above market for the same role.
  • Industry: a Software Engineer at a tech company in Houston typically out-earns one at a non-tech employer.
  • Negotiation: simply negotiating an offer can shift comp by 5–15%.
  • Education and credentials: degrees and licenses (especially for healthcare, legal, engineering) can move comp by 15–30%.
  • Remote vs in-office: many Houston employers now base pay on cost of living, with remote workers in cheaper metros paid less.

Related calculators

Veterinarian Salary in Texas — state-level average. Salary Calculator — convert hourly ↔ annual. Houston Paycheck Calculator — exact take-home. Income Tax Calculator — federal tax with brackets. Investment Calculator — long-term portfolio growth.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the median Veterinarian salary in Houston?
The estimated median Veterinarian salary in Houston, Texas is $105,600 per year, or approximately $51/hour at standard full-time. Houston sits 4.0% below the US national average for this role.
Houston vs Texas state — what's the salary difference?
Houston: $105,600. Texas state average for Veterinarian: $106,700. Difference: -$1,100 (1.0%). City-level pay typically reflects the metro area's cost of living and concentration of employers.
Does Houston have a city income tax?
No, Houston has no separate city income tax. Only federal income tax, FICA, and Texas state tax apply (Texas has no state income tax either).
Does this account for cost-of-living differences?
Yes — the city multiplier reflects Houston's cost of living relative to the US average. Houston's multiplier is 0.96× national. For comparison: San Francisco ~1.45×, NYC ~1.32×, mid-tier metros ~1.00×, low-cost metros ~0.85–0.90×. Higher local cost generally means employers pay more to attract talent.
What's the after-tax take-home for Veterinarian in Houston?
Estimate: $82,738/year after federal income tax (~14% effective), FICA (7.65%), Texas state tax (~0.0% effective), and Houston local tax (0.00%). For exact numbers, use the Houston Paycheck Calculator with your specific 401(k) and deductions.