Veterinarian Salary in Phoenix, AZ: $170,015 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Phoenix, AZ earns a median $170,015/year (≈ $81.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Phoenix's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.3), that paycheck buys what $164,558 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 25.7% above the Arizona state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinarians in Phoenix, AZ, can expect a competitive median annual salary of $170,015 in 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $137,334. This reflects a 23.80% premium for professionals in the region. The salary range for this occupation varies considerably, from $87,171 at the lower end (P10) to a remarkable $321,567 for the top earners (P90). These figures, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, highlight how the production-based compensation model in the veterinary field often determines earnings, making revenue generation a critical factor in overall pay. As the demand for veterinary services continues to rise, the Phoenix job market remains robust, indicating a solid future outlook for this profession.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $87,171 | $41.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $135,993 | $65.38 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $170,015 | $81.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $220,705 | $106.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $321,567 | $154.60 |
Median Salary Position
23.80% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Phoenix
In Phoenix, AZ, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $234,396 (2026 est.). At $170,015, the local median is 23.8% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Phoenix: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Phoenix Veterinarian Pay Compares
Phoenix median: $170,015/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Phoenix Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $135,255 | +25.70% more |
| National Average | $137,334 | +23.80% more |
Veterinarians in Phoenix, AZ earn a median of $170,015 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.80% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 25.70% above the Arizona state average of $135,255.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Phoenix has a cost of living 3.32% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Phoenix, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 103.316 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $170,015 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $164,558 — a 3.21% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$104,440
2025 BLS Actual
$161,060
2026 Current Est.
$170,015
2019–2027 Growth
+71.8%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Phoenix (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $104,440 | Actual |
| 2020 | $100,340 | Actual |
| 2021 | $100,460 | Actual |
| 2022 | $129,150 | Actual |
| 2023 | $138,200 | Actual |
| 2024 | $138,420 | Actual |
| 2025 | $161,060 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $170,015 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $179,468 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Phoenix metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 54.2% from $104,440 (2019) to $161,060 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $179,468 by 2027 — a total increase of $75,028 (71.84%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Phoenix 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) | $87,171 – $135,993 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $135,993 – $170,015 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $170,015 – $220,705 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $220,705 – $321,567 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Phoenix
Employing about 1,480 veterinarians, Phoenix features a diverse job market influenced by the area's cost of living index of 103.316, reflecting slightly above-average living costs compared to the national average. This economic context means that while veterinarians may earn impressive salaries, their take-home purchasing power is affected by local expenses. Among the different sectors, large animal and equine practices typically offer lower entry-level salaries compared to specialty referral hospitals or corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl. The disparity in pay levels is driven by various factors, including specialty board certification, production-based compensation structures, and the corporate versus independent practice environment. To maximize earnings in Phoenix, veterinarians should consider pursuing additional certifications, exploring partnerships, or seeking employment with larger groups that can offer competitive benefits and sign-on bonuses, particularly in areas facing veterinarian shortages.
More salary data for Phoenix, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinarians make in Phoenix, AZ in 2026?
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Can veterinarians make $100K in Phoenix?
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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 $161,060 for veterinariansin the Phoenix 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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