Veterinarian Salary in Flagstaff, AZ: $132,063 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Flagstaff, AZ earns a median $132,063/year (≈ $63.49/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Flagstaff's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $134,074 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the Arizona state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Veterinarians in Flagstaff, Arizona, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $132,063 in 2026, reflecting a slight decline in comparison to the national median of $137,334. The local salary range for this occupation spans from $77,866 at the 10th percentile to $204,698 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for the regional cost of living, which is slightly lower than the national average, contributing to the overall compensation structure. In a city with a unique ecosystem, the demand for veterinary services provides opportunities for both general practitioners and those specializing in areas like surgery or internal medicine, which tend to offer higher pay.
About the Flagstaff Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $77,866 | $37.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $104,125 | $50.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $132,063 | $63.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $169,041 | $81.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $204,698 | $98.41 |
Median Salary Position
3.84% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Flagstaff
In Flagstaff, AZ, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $126,832 (2026 est.). At $132,063, the local median is 3.84% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Flagstaff: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Flagstaff Veterinarian Pay Compares
Flagstaff median: $132,063/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Flagstaff Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $135,310 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -3.84% less |
Veterinarians in Flagstaff, AZ earn a median of $132,063 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.84% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 2.40% below the Arizona state average of $135,310.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Flagstaff has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Flagstaff, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $132,063 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $134,074 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$91,796
2025 BLS Actual
$125,107
2026 Current Est.
$132,063
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Flagstaff (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $91,796 | Actual |
| 2020 | $95,441 | Actual |
| 2021 | $96,518 | Actual |
| 2022 | $106,610 | Actual |
| 2023 | $120,000 | Actual |
| 2024 | $113,471 | Actual |
| 2025 | $125,107 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $132,063 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,406 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Flagstaff metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $91,796 (2019) to $125,107 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $139,406 by 2027 — a total increase of $47,610 (51.87%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Flagstaff 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $77,866 – $104,125 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $104,125 – $132,063 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $132,063 – $169,041 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $169,041 – $204,698 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Flagstaff
In Flagstaff, there are currently 14 veterinarians employed in the area, highlighting a tight-knit job market. With a cost-of-living index set at 98.5, professionals here have decent purchasing power though it remains lower than the national average. Among local employers, small animal companion clinics, notably corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl, account for about 25% of the market share and generally offer competitive compensation. The disparity in veterinarian pay in Flagstaff often hinges on various factors, such as specialty board certification in fields like surgery, production-based compensation subsidies, and potential sign-on bonuses ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 for recent graduates in high-demand areas. Those looking to maximize their earnings might consider embracing roles in specialty practices or pursuing ownership equity within established clinics, thereby enhancing their financial trajectory in the evolving landscape of veterinary medicine in Flagstaff, AZ.
More salary data for Flagstaff, AZ:
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
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 BLS reported a median annual salary of $125,107 for veterinariansin the Flagstaff metropolitan area. A 5.56% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Flagstaff 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