TL;DR: A government Veterinarian I earns ₱36,125 a month at Step 1 (Salary Grade 13) under the DBM's third tranche salary schedule, effective January 1, 2026, and the ladder runs to Veterinarian VII at SG 28 (₱167,129). Private-sector vets earn about the same at the average: Indeed's job-posting data puts it at ₱36,199 a month, with a range of about ₱22,718 to ₱57,680. Every province and city must have a government veterinarian under the Local Government Code, but LGU pay can be 70% to 100% of national rates. Abroad, the US median is $130,100 a year (BLS, May 2025) and Indeed's UAE average is AED 7,268 a month.
Veterinary medicine takes six years in the Philippines before you can sit the board exam, so it is fair to ask what the job pays at the end. Vets work in a wide range of settings: small-animal clinics, poultry and swine farms, feed and animal-health companies, national agencies, and the veterinary offices every province and city is required to run. This guide covers the pay in each, using the DBM's official salary schedule and position index for government roles and labeled job-posting data for private ones.
How Much Does a Government Veterinarian Earn?
A government Veterinarian I earns ₱36,125 a month at Step 1, which is Salary Grade 13 in the DBM's Index of Occupational Services (CY 2022 edition). That entry grade sits above the SG 11 start for pharmacists or medical technologists. Peso values come from DBM National Budget Circular No. 601, which implements the third tranche of Executive Order No. 64, s. 2024, effective January 1, 2026.
| Government Position | Salary Grade | Monthly Pay, Step 1 (2026) | Monthly Pay, Step 8 (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Veterinarian I | SG 13 | ₱36,125 | ₱38,241 |
| Veterinarian II | SG 16 | ₱45,694 | ₱49,020 |
| Veterinarian III | SG 19 | ₱59,153 | ₱65,132 |
| Veterinarian IV | SG 22 | ₱81,796 | ₱90,295 |
| Veterinarian V | SG 24 | ₱102,603 | ₱114,301 |
| Veterinarian VI | SG 26 | ₱131,807 | ₱146,983 |
| Veterinarian VII | SG 28 | ₱167,129 | ₱185,537 |
Disclaimer: these are basic monthly salaries from DBM NBC No. 601. A fourth and final EO 64 tranche is scheduled for January 1, 2027. Confirm current rates with the hiring agency before budgeting.
The same DBM index groups other veterinary-service positions with these, such as Meat Control Officer I (SG 13) and Chief Meat Control Officer (SG 24), though the index does not by itself set their qualification standards. National government vets also get the ₱2,000 monthly PERA, mid-year and year-end bonuses, and GSIS coverage. See our salary grade table guide for how those add-ons and deductions work.
How Much Do LGU Veterinarians Earn?
LGU vets are paid under their LGU's salary schedule, which can be lower than the national rates above. Under DBM Local Budget Circular No. 172 (July 16, 2026), the third tranche schedule may be granted to LGU personnel with sanggunian authorization and within the LGU's personnel services limit, at these percentages of the national schedule:
| LGU Income Class | Provinces / Cities | Municipalities |
|---|---|---|
| Special cities | 100% | n/a |
| 1st class | 100% | 90% |
| 2nd class | 95% | 85% |
| 3rd class | 90% | 80% |
| 4th class | 85% | 75% |
| 5th class | 80% | 70% |
LGUs may fully adopt the national rates despite these ceilings if they can fund them. Demand is guaranteed at the provincial and city level: Section 489 of RA 7160, the Local Government Code, states that "the appointment of a veterinarian officer is mandatory for the provincial and city governments," and requires at least three years of practice for a provincial or city veterinarian and one year for a municipal one. LGU positions are classified under the DBM's separate index for local governments, so ask the LGU's HR office for the exact item title and salary grade.
How Much Do Private-Sector Veterinarians Earn?
Private vets average about ₱36,000 a month. Indeed puts the national average at ₱36,199 a month from 140 reported salaries (updated October 21, 2026), with a typical range of ₱22,718 to ₱57,680. Manila had the highest city average at ₱70,601, followed by Taguig (₱46,822) and Cavite City (₱46,746).
| Source | Reported Monthly Pay | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| Government Veterinarian I (SG 13) | ₱36,125 (Step 1) | Official, DBM NBC 601 |
| Private veterinarian, national average | ₱36,199 (range ₱22,718-₱57,680) | Indeed, 140 salaries |
| Private veterinarian, top-paying locations | ₱43,750-₱72,500 | Jobstreet job ads, by location |
Jobstreet's location averages for veterinarian ads ranged from ₱43,750 (Davao del Sur) to ₱72,500 (Albay), with Manila at ₱60,000, Taguig at ₱55,000, and Cebu at ₱45,000. Because Jobstreet only shows its top-paying locations, these figures run higher than Indeed's national average.
Disclaimer: private-sector figures are job-ad averages from Indeed and Jobstreet with modest sample sizes, not an official wage survey. Treat them as directional and confirm any offer in writing.
Government vs Private: Which Pays More for Vets?
At the average, they are nearly identical: ₱36,125 for Veterinarian I versus Indeed's ₱36,199 private average. Government adds PERA, two bonuses a year, and a clear step and grade ladder, while private pay has a higher reported ceiling in some cities and roles. LGU posts are the wild card, since a lower-class municipality may pay well below the national rate.
How Much Do Veterinarians Earn Abroad?
| Country | Reported Pay | Basis |
|---|---|---|
| United States | $130,100/year median (May 2025) | Official, US Bureau of Labor Statistics |
| United Arab Emirates | AED 7,268/month average (range AED 3,078-17,163) | Indeed UAE, 129 salaries |
The US route requires an educational equivalency certificate for graduates of non-accredited foreign schools. The two programs are the AVMA's Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG) and the AAVSB's Program for the Assessment of Veterinary Education Equivalence (PAVE). State boards decide which they accept, and neither certificate is itself a license or a work visa.
Disclaimer: overseas figures are before tax and exclude equivalency, licensing, visa, and relocation costs. Exchange rates move, so convert conservatively.
What Do You Need to Become a Licensed Veterinarian?
You need a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree and a passing score on the PRC Veterinarian Licensure Examination under RA 9268, the Philippine Veterinary Medicine Act of 2004. The DVM runs six years, covered in our Doctor of Veterinary Medicine guide. For exam subjects, schedule, and recent passing rates, see our veterinarian board exam guide.
How to Decide If Veterinary Pay Is Worth It
- Count six years plus the board exam. Compare total tuition and time against the SG 13 start and the ₱36,000 private average.
- Test sectors during internship. Clinic, livestock, industry, and government work build different skills, so use your final-year internship to see which fits.
- Check the LGU's income class. Before accepting a local post, ask which percentage of the national schedule the LGU actually pays.
- Use the LGU requirement to your advantage. Every province and city must appoint a veterinarian, and the post requires prior practice, so private experience counts.
- Plan the US route years ahead. ECFVG or PAVE takes time and money before state licensure, so treat it as a long-term goal, not a first job.
- Compare with other licensed careers. Our highest-paying courses roundup and doctor salary guide put vet pay in context.
Ready to find the right school? Browse schools or compare tuition and board exam results across hundreds of Philippine schools offering veterinary medicine on SchoolFinderPH.
Sources
- DBM National Budget Circular No. 601, s. 2026: Third Tranche Salary Schedule (official PDF)
- DBM Index of Occupational Services, Occupational Groups, Classes and Salary Grades, CY 2022 Edition, Volume I
- DBM Local Budget Circular No. 172, July 16, 2026: Third Tranche for LGU Personnel
- Republic Act No. 7160, Local Government Code of 1991, Sec. 489 (LawPhil)
- Republic Act No. 9268, Philippine Veterinary Medicine Act of 2004 (LawPhil)
- Indeed: Veterinarian salary in Philippines
- Jobstreet: Veterinarian salary in PH
- US Bureau of Labor Statistics: Veterinarians, Occupational Outlook Handbook
- AVMA: ECFVG, About Us
- AAVSB: International Pathway (PAVE)
- Indeed UAE: Veterinarian salary
