Veterinarian Salary in Aurora, CO: $139,469 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Aurora, CO earns a median $139,469/year (≈ $67.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Aurora's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $132,828 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.2% above the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Aurora, Colorado, the 2026 estimates for veterinarian salaries reflect a robust local market with a median annual pay of $139,469. The salary range for veterinarians in the area spans from $80,892 at the 10th percentile to $216,177 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost of living, indicate a competitive salary landscape. Aurora’s veterinary professionals can expect higher earnings compared to the national median of $137,334, particularly influenced by specialty board certifications in areas like surgery or emergency care, which can significantly impact overall compensation. This competitive pay highlights the demand for skilled veterinarians in the region and suggests a healthy job market for prospective candidates.
About the Aurora Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($124,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $80,892 | $38.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $105,995 | $50.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $139,469 | $67.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $178,520 | $85.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $216,177 | $103.93 |
Median Salary Position
1.55% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Aurora
In Aurora, CO, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $135,285 (2026 est.). At $139,469, the local median is 1.55% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Aurora: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Aurora Veterinarian Pay Compares
Aurora median: $139,469/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Aurora Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $133,847 | +4.20% more |
| National Average | $137,334 | +1.55% more |
Veterinarians in Aurora, CO earn a median of $139,469 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.55% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 4.20% above the Colorado state average of $133,847.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Aurora has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Aurora, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $139,469 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $132,828 — a 4.76% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$96,944
2025 BLS Actual
$132,123
2026 Current Est.
$139,469
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Aurora (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $96,944 | Actual |
| 2020 | $100,793 | Actual |
| 2021 | $101,931 | Actual |
| 2022 | $104,866 | Actual |
| 2023 | $120,952 | Actual |
| 2024 | $133,708 | Actual |
| 2025 | $132,123 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $139,469 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $147,224 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Aurora metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $96,944 (2019) to $132,123 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $147,224 by 2027 — a total increase of $50,280 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Aurora 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) | $80,892 – $105,995 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $105,995 – $139,469 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $139,469 – $178,520 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $178,520 – $216,177 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Aurora
With 54 veterinarians employed in Aurora, the local job landscape suggests steady demand for animal healthcare services. The cost of living index at 105 indicates a slightly elevated living expense relative to the national average, which ultimately influences take-home purchasing power and personal financial planning. Among different practice types, corporate practices such as VCA and BluePearl typically offer more substantial salaries, often paying premiums for specialists with board certifications or those adept in production-based compensation models. The variation in pay can be attributed to factors such as specialty training, practice ownership equity, and incentives like sign-on bonuses in areas experiencing shortages. To enhance earning potential in Aurora's veterinary market, professionals should consider pursuing specialty certifications and seek opportunities in corporate settings, where structured compensation pathways and growth potential are often more pronounced.
More salary data for Aurora, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can veterinarians make $100K in Aurora?
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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 $132,123 for veterinariansin the Aurora 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 Aurora 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