Veterinarian Salary

Kirkland vs Olympia: Veterinarian Salary (2026)

Compare veterinarian salaries between Kirkland, WA and Olympia, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Kirkland, WA
$166,631
$80.11/hr
Olympia, WA
$167,714
$80.64/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKirkland, WAOlympia, WA
Median Salary$166,631$167,714
Hourly Rate$80.11$80.64
Entry Level (P10)$96,645$99,849
25th Percentile$125,494$125,046
75th Percentile$211,221$193,597
Top Earner (P90)$258,278$229,361
Total Employed13100
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kirkland ($166,631) and Olympia ($167,714) veterinarian salaries.KirklandOlympiaMedian Salary$166,631$167,714Entry Level (P10)$96,645$99,849Top Earner (P90)$258,278$229,361US Median $137,334

Verdict

Olympia, WA offers better overall compensation for veterinarians, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Kirkland.

The salary gap between Kirkland and Olympia is $1,083 (0.65%). Olympia's median is +22.12% compared to the US national median of $137,334.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Kirkland spans $161,633,Olympia spans $129,512. Kirkland has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Kirkland
P10 (Entry)$96,645
P25$125,494
Median$166,631
P75$211,221
P90 (Top)$258,278
Olympia
P10 (Entry)$99,849
P25$125,046
Median$167,714
P75$193,597
P90 (Top)$229,361

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Olympia ($161,777 effective) pays 4.27% more than Kirkland ($155,150 effective).

Kirkland
Nominal: $166,631
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $155,150
Olympia
Nominal: $167,714
CoL Index: 103.67
Adjusted: $161,777

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Kirkland if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($258,278)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Olympia if…

  • Higher median salary ($167,714/year)
  • Larger job market (100 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $161,777)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, veterinarian salaries in Kirkland grew 3.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 102.7% growth in Olympia over the same period.

Kirkland, WA

+3.9%

$151,991 (2024) → $157,854 (2025)

Olympia, WA

+102.7%

$78,380 (2019) → $158,880 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays veterinarians more: Kirkland or Olympia?

Olympia has a higher median veterinarian salary at $167,714/year, compared to Kirkland at $166,631/year — a difference of $1,083 (0.65%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Kirkland and Olympia?

Kirkland veterinarians earn $80.11/hr while Olympia hygienists earn $80.64/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Kirkland to Olympia as a veterinarian?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kirkland and Olympia. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kirkland = $155,150, Olympia = $161,777), job availability (13 vs 100 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level veterinarians earn in Kirkland vs Olympia?

Entry-level (10th percentile) veterinarians earn $96,645 in Kirkland and $99,849 in Olympia. The Olympia 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