Entry-Level Veterinarian Salary in Cody, WY: $66,850 (2026)
Quick Answer:New veterinarians entering the Cody, WY job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $66,850 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 29-1131, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Cody's local price level (BEA RPP 95.8 — 4% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $69,781 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($110,610) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For new graduates entering the veterinary field in Cody, Wyoming, the entry-level veterinarian salary is projected to start at around $66,850 in 2026. While this figure reflects the lower end of the salary range, it's essential to recognize that the median salary in Cody for veterinarians is estimated at $110,610, illustrating a significant gap that entry-level veterinarians may need to navigate. Over the initial years in practice, there's room for upward mobility; as professionals gain experience, they can expect to progress from the 10th percentile to the 25th percentile salary of $88,111, potentially approaching the median as they hone their skills and build a clientele. With a projected annual growth rate of 5.56%, Cody presents a viable market for new graduates looking to launch their careers in veterinary medicine.
About the Cody Market
Salary estimated from Wyoming average ($112,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Cody
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 Cody
Entry-level veterinarians in Cody, WY typically start between $66,850 and $88,111 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $102,364 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $110,610 — 19.46% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average veterinary medicine program cost in Wyoming of $185,000 represents just 276.74% of the starting veterinarian pay ($66,850/year) in Cody. 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 Cody
- 1Research the Cody market: entry-level veterinarian pay ranges from $66,850 to $88,111, 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 WY often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Cody, 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 Cody for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Cody'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 Cody is $102,364 ( 153.12%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $66,850, experienced hygienists can earn up to $169,214.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$49,759
2025 BLS Actual
$63,329
2026 Current Est.
$66,850
2019–2027 Growth
+41.8%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Cody (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,759 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,995 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,055 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,417 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,993 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,498 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,329 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,850 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,567 | Projected |
Entry-level veterinarian compensation (10th percentile) in Cody, WY grew 27.3% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $49,759 in 2019 to $63,329 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $70,567. New graduates entering the Cody job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cody 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 Cody
In Cody, various employers actively engage in hiring novice veterinarians, with corporate chains like VCA, BluePearl, and NVA often leading the way. These organizations typically provide solid mentorship programs and may offer sign-on bonuses, creating an appealing environment for new veterinary graduates. On the flip side, independent practices can afford quicker paths to autonomy but may lack the structured training that larger corporations offer. To enhance entry-level pay prospects in Wyoming, obtaining credentials such as a DVM or VMD from an AVMA-accredited school, passing the NAVLE, and securing a state veterinary license is crucial. Furthermore, those considering a specialty path can gain salary advantages by completing a 1-year rotating internship followed by a 3-year residency to obtain board certification from organizations like ACVS or ACVIM. Given the corporate consolidation trends within the veterinary sector, strategic career planning during the first few years can lead to viable opportunities, although salary growth is expected to take time as veterinarians build their expertise and client relationships.
More salary data for Cody, WY:
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 Cody. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Cody 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