Entry-Level Veterinarian Salary in Moscow, ID: $74,012 (2026)
Quick Answer:New veterinarians entering the Moscow, ID job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $74,012 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1131, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Moscow's local price level (BEA RPP 95.3 — 5% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $77,662 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($127,607) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Graduating as a veterinarian in 2026 can lead to promising starting salaries in Moscow, Idaho. Entry-level positions begin at around $74,012, a figure that reflects a gap when compared to the city’s median annual salary of $127,607. In the first few years, newly minted veterinarians can realistically expect their pay to rise from this initial amount, moving towards the 25th percentile salary of $97,343 within a few years as they gain experience and establish themselves in the field. Considering the city's overall economic environment, Moscow offers a decent market for recent graduates, especially given the projected 5.56% annual growth rate in veterinary salaries over the next five years.
About the Moscow Market
Salary estimated from Idaho average ($112,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Moscow
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Moscow
Entry-level veterinarians in Moscow, ID typically start between $74,012 and $97,343 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $123,779 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $127,607 — 7.08% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average veterinary medicine program cost in Idaho of $180,000 represents just 243.20% of the starting veterinarian pay ($74,012/year) in Moscow. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on AVMA Council on Education (COE)-accredited DVM program data from AAVMC cost comparison tool and state veterinary college reports. Tuition-only totals for the 4-year DVM curriculum; resident vs. non-resident rates vary substantially.
DVM Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Moscow
- 1Research the Moscow market: entry-level veterinarian pay ranges from $74,012 to $97,343, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the veterinary medicine field — employers in ID often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Moscow, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Moscow for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Moscow's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Veterinarian Compensation Range
The veterinarian wage spread in Moscow is $123,779 ( 167.24%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $74,012, experienced hygienists can earn up to $197,791.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$55,090
2025 BLS Actual
$70,114
2026 Current Est.
$74,012
2019–2027 Growth
+41.8%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Moscow (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,090 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,565 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,632 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,140 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,634 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,359 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,114 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,012 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,127 | Projected |
Entry-level veterinarian compensation (10th percentile) in Moscow, ID grew 27.3% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $55,090 in 2019 to $70,114 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $78,127. New graduates entering the Moscow job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Moscow metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 5.56% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your veterinary medicine Career in Moscow
A variety of employers in Moscow actively seek new graduates in veterinary medicine, including large corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl, which provide structured mentorship programs and often offer attractive sign-on bonuses. Independent practices, on the other hand, may empower young veterinarians with greater autonomy but typically have less formal training pathways. To enhance starting pay in Idaho, obtaining a DVM or VMD from an AVMA-accredited institution and passing the NAVLE exam are essential. While many new vets may start in general practice, pursuing specialty training through one-year internships or three-year residency programs is a path to significantly higher earnings, as specialized veterinarians can command up to two to three times more than their general practice counterparts. The evolving market, influenced by corporate consolidation, means that understanding these dynamics is vital as new grads aim for sustainable career growth in their early professional years.
More salary data for Moscow, ID:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for veterinarians in Moscow in 2026?
How fast do veterinarian salaries grow in Moscow?
Is veterinary medicine school worth it in Moscow?
What do new veterinarians make right out of school in Moscow?
How do I become a veterinarian in Idaho?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new veterinary medicine graduates. A 5.56% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Moscow. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Moscow is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.56%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for veterinarians (SOC 29-1131).
Compiled and verified by Dr. Alice Nguyen, DVM, a licensed veterinarian with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov