Veterinarian Salary

Champaign vs Mount Prospect: Veterinarian Salary (2026)

Compare veterinarian salaries between Champaign, IL and Mount Prospect, IL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Champaign, IL
$112,443
$54.06/hr
Mount Prospect, IL
$140,035
$67.33/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricChampaign, ILMount Prospect, IL
Median Salary$112,443$140,035
Hourly Rate$54.06$67.33
Entry Level (P10)$55,039$81,220
25th Percentile$88,945$105,961
75th Percentile$136,299$178,167
Top Earner (P90)$175,863$217,054
Total Employed8013
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Champaign ($112,443) and Mount Prospect ($140,035) veterinarian salaries.ChampaignMount ProspectMedian Salary$112,443$140,035Entry Level (P10)$55,039$81,220Top Earner (P90)$175,863$217,054US Median $137,334

Verdict

Mount Prospect, IL offers better overall compensation for veterinarians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Champaign.

The salary gap between Champaign and Mount Prospect is $27,592 (24.54%). Mount Prospect's median is +1.97% compared to the US national median of $137,334.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Champaign spans $120,824,Mount Prospect spans $135,834. Mount Prospect has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced veterinarians.

Champaign
P10 (Entry)$55,039
P25$88,945
Median$112,443
P75$136,299
P90 (Top)$175,863
Mount Prospect
P10 (Entry)$81,220
P25$105,961
Median$140,035
P75$178,167
P90 (Top)$217,054

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Mount Prospect ($144,217 effective) pays 18.90% more than Champaign ($121,293 effective).

Champaign
Nominal: $112,443
CoL Index: 92.704
Adjusted: $121,293
Mount Prospect
Nominal: $140,035
CoL Index: 97.1
Adjusted: $144,217

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Champaign if…

  • Larger job market (80 employed)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Choose Mount Prospect if…

  • Higher median salary ($140,035/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($217,054)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $144,217)
  • You prefer the Illinois area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinarian salaries in Champaign grew 11.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 12.0% growth in Mount Prospect over the same period.

Champaign, IL

+11.7%

$95,380 (2019) → $106,520 (2025)

Mount Prospect, IL

+12.0%

$118,408 (2024) → $132,659 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinarians more: Champaign or Mount Prospect?

Mount Prospect has a higher median veterinarian salary at $140,035/year, compared to Champaign at $112,443/year — a difference of $27,592 (24.54%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Champaign and Mount Prospect?

Champaign veterinarians earn $54.06/hr while Mount Prospect hygienists earn $67.33/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Champaign to Mount Prospect as a veterinarian?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Champaign and Mount Prospect. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Champaign = $121,293, Mount Prospect = $144,217), job availability (80 vs 13 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinarians earn in Champaign vs Mount Prospect?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinarians earn $55,039 in Champaign and $81,220 in Mount Prospect. The Mount Prospect area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Dr. Alice Nguyen, DVM

Career Analyst

Dr. Alice Nguyen has 10 years of experience in veterinary medicine. She specializes in small animal surgery. She currently works at a suburban veterinary clinic.

Clinically reviewed by Dr. Samuel Patel, DVMData verified by Dr. Maria Gomez, DVM

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 5.56% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Dr. Alice Nguyen, DVM, a licensed veterinarian with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov