Veterinarian Salary in Sierra Vista, AZ: $129,416 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Sierra Vista, AZ earns a median $129,416/year (≈ $62.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Sierra Vista's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $131,387 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.3% below the Arizona state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Sierra Vista, the projected median annual veterinarian salary for 2026 is estimated at $129,416, reflecting a slight decrease of 5.77% compared to the national median of $137,334. The overall salary range in this area spans from $78,153 at the 10th percentile to $200,594 at the 90th percentile, indicating robust earning potential for experienced specialists, particularly those with board certifications in surgery, internal medicine, or emergency and critical care. These figures are derived from BLS state-level data and regional cost adjustments, highlighting the local economic context and the specialty-driven salary variations that influence how much veterinarians make in Sierra Vista.
About the Sierra Vista Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,153 | $37.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $103,629 | $49.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $129,416 | $62.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $163,256 | $78.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $200,594 | $96.44 |
Median Salary Position
5.77% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sierra Vista
In Sierra Vista, AZ, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $122,441 (2026 est.). At $129,416, the local median is 5.77% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sierra Vista: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sierra Vista Veterinarian Pay Compares
Sierra Vista median: $129,416/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sierra Vista Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $135,230 | -4.30% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -5.77% less |
Veterinarians in Sierra Vista, AZ earn a median of $129,416 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.77% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 4.30% below the Arizona state average of $135,230.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sierra Vista 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.
Sierra Vista, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $129,416 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $131,387 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$111,970
2025 BLS Actual
$122,599
2026 Current Est.
$129,416
2019–2027 Growth
+22.0%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Sierra Vista (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $111,970 | Actual |
| 2020 | $114,910 | Actual |
| 2021 | $94,583 | Actual |
| 2022 | $97,306 | Actual |
| 2023 | $112,233 | Actual |
| 2024 | $111,196 | Actual |
| 2025 | $122,599 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $129,416 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $136,611 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sierra Vista metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 9.5% from $111,970 (2019) to $122,599 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $136,611 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,641 (22.01%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sierra Vista 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) | $78,153 – $103,629 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $103,629 – $129,416 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $129,416 – $163,256 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $163,256 – $200,594 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Sierra Vista
With nine veterinarians currently employed in the locality, the job market appears stable but competitive, particularly given the cost of living index of 98.5, which is slightly below the national average. This economical backdrop suggests that while salaries may be lower compared to national standards, the purchasing power remains relatively favorable for residents. Compensation varies significantly based on practice type; corporate entities like VCA and BluePearl often offer the highest salaries but may require production-based compensation models that incentivize revenue generation. Specialty board certifications can substantially elevate earnings, as can practice ownership and sign-on bonuses, especially in underserved areas. For veterinarians looking to maximize their pay in Sierra Vista, seeking positions in corporate practices or pursuing additional certifications can be effective strategies in a market shaped by corporate consolidation trends and evolving compensation structures.
More salary data for Sierra Vista, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinarians make in Sierra Vista, AZ in 2026?
Is Sierra Vista, AZ a good place to work as a veterinarian?
Can veterinarians make $100K in Sierra Vista?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted veterinarian salary in Sierra Vista?
How much does a veterinarian make per hour in Sierra Vista?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Arizona
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 $122,599 for veterinariansin the Sierra Vista 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 Sierra Vista 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