Entry-Level Veterinarian Salary in Clearfield, UT: $77,936 (2026)
Quick Answer:New veterinarians entering the Clearfield, UT job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $77,936 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1131, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Clearfield's local price level (BEA RPP 98.1 — 2% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $79,445 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($128,690) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Navigating the early stages of a veterinary career in Clearfield, Utah, presents both challenges and opportunities, notably in financial expectations. For new graduates entering the field, the starting veterinarian salary in Clearfield is projected at $77,936 in 2026, which is significantly lower than the city median salary of $128,690. This initial compensation highlights a substantial gap, but the expected growth trajectory is promising as early-career veterinarians can anticipate an increase in earnings as they gain experience, potentially reaching the 25th percentile of $102,810 within a few years. Given the projected 5.56% annual growth rate in this sector, Clearfield remains a viable market for new DVM graduates, providing ample opportunities for advancement in a field that is increasingly competitive.
About the Clearfield Market
Salary estimated from Utah average ($114,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Clearfield
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 Clearfield
Entry-level veterinarians in Clearfield, UT typically start between $77,936 and $102,810 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $121,534 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $128,690 — 6.29% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average veterinary medicine program cost in Utah of $185,000 represents just 237.37% of the starting veterinarian pay ($77,936/year) in Clearfield. 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 Clearfield
- 1Research the Clearfield market: entry-level veterinarian pay ranges from $77,936 to $102,810, 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 UT often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Clearfield, 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 Clearfield for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Clearfield'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 Clearfield is $121,534 ( 155.94%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $77,936, experienced hygienists can earn up to $199,470.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$58,010
2025 BLS Actual
$73,831
2026 Current Est.
$77,936
2019–2027 Growth
+41.8%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Clearfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,010 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,617 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,687 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,275 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,273 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,851 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,831 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,936 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,269 | Projected |
Entry-level veterinarian compensation (10th percentile) in Clearfield, UT grew 27.3% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $58,010 in 2019 to $73,831 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $82,269. New graduates entering the Clearfield job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Clearfield 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 Clearfield
In the contemporary job market, employers in Clearfield looking to hire new graduates typically fall into two categories: corporate entities and independent practices. Large corporate groups like VCA, BluePearl, and NVA are known for hiring many newly minted veterinarians, offering structured mentorship and sign-on bonuses that can significantly boost starting compensation. Independent clinics may provide a quicker path to autonomy, but the training structure can be less formalized. To enhance starting pay in Utah, new veterinarians should focus on acquiring essential credentials, including a DVM or VMD degree from an AVMA-accredited school, passing the NAVLE, obtaining a state license, and considering a 1-year rotating internship or board certification in a specialty area. With corporate consolidation reshaping the veterinary profession, many veterinarians are seeing salary structures evolve, particularly those who pursue specialization—which can yield earnings that double or triple general practice wages within just a few years. Overall, understanding the dynamics of employer preferences and the potential for wage growth can better position new grads to make informed career choices in Clearfield.
More salary data for Clearfield, UT:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Clearfield. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Clearfield 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