Veterinarian Salary in Surprise, AZ: $134,982 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Surprise, AZ earns a median $134,982/year (≈ $64.90/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Surprise's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $137,038 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the Arizona state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, veterinarians in Surprise, Arizona are projected to earn a median annual salary of $134,982, slightly below the national average of $137,334. The salary range for this profession is broad, from $78,416 at the 10th percentile to $209,222 at the 90th percentile. These figures are estimates based on 2025 BLS data and regional cost adjustments, reflecting the unique economic landscape of Surprise. This level of compensation underscores the growing demand for veterinary services, driven by factors such as the increasing pet ownership rates and advancements in veterinary medicine. With a competitive salary structure, Surprise presents opportunities for future veterinarians to build rewarding careers.
About the Surprise Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($118,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $78,416 | $37.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $105,673 | $50.81 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $134,982 | $64.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $172,776 | $83.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $209,222 | $100.59 |
Median Salary Position
1.71% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Surprise
In Surprise, AZ, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $130,806 (2026 est.). At $134,982, the local median is 1.71% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Surprise: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Surprise Veterinarian Pay Compares
Surprise median: $134,982/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Surprise Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $135,252 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -1.71% less |
Veterinarians in Surprise, AZ earn a median of $134,982 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.71% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 0.20% below the Arizona state average of $135,252.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Surprise 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.
Surprise, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A veterinarian earning $134,982 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $137,038 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$93,825
2025 BLS Actual
$127,872
2026 Current Est.
$134,982
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Surprise (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $93,825 | Actual |
| 2020 | $97,550 | Actual |
| 2021 | $98,651 | Actual |
| 2022 | $101,492 | Actual |
| 2023 | $117,060 | Actual |
| 2024 | $115,979 | Actual |
| 2025 | $127,872 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $134,982 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $142,487 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Surprise metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $93,825 (2019) to $127,872 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $142,487 by 2027 — a total increase of $48,662 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Surprise 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) | $78,416 – $105,673 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $105,673 – $134,982 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $134,982 – $172,776 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $172,776 – $209,222 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Surprise
A glance into the local job market reveals that there are currently 31 veterinarians employed in Surprise. With a cost-of-living index at 98.5, the economic environment allows for greater purchasing power compared to many other regions. Among local employers, corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl tend to offer salaries on the higher end, alongside independent practices that cover a diverse range of specialties. The disparity in pay often hinges on factors such as specialty board certification in areas like surgery or internal medicine, as well as the structure of compensation based on production models. New graduates are seeing sign-on bonuses between $50,000 and $150,000 in high-demand areas, providing further incentive for pursuing opportunities in Surprise. To maximize earnings, veterinarians should consider the potential benefits of corporate employment, explore specialty certifications, and remain informed about the shifting dynamics of practice ownership as the market evolves.
More salary data for Surprise, 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 $127,872 for veterinariansin the Surprise 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 Surprise 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