Veterinarian Salary in Castle Rock, CO: $131,807 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Castle Rock, CO earns a median $131,807/year (≈ $63.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Castle Rock's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $125,530 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the compensation for veterinarians in Castle Rock, Colorado, reaches a median annual salary of $131,807, providing a competitive edge compared to the national median of $137,334. With a salary range from $79,049 at the 10th percentile to $204,302 at the 90th percentile, these figures suggest a robust earning potential influenced by factors such as production-based compensation models where a veterinarian’s pay may align closely with the revenue they generate. These salary estimates are derived from BLS state-level data, adjusted for regional price variances, representing the local market dynamics that shape veterinarian pay in Castle Rock.
About the Castle Rock Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($124,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $79,049 | $38.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $105,329 | $50.64 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $131,807 | $63.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $165,181 | $79.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $204,302 | $98.22 |
Median Salary Position
4.02% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Castle Rock
In Castle Rock, CO, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $125,253 (2026 est.). At $131,807, the local median is 4.02% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Castle Rock: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Castle Rock Veterinarian Pay Compares
Castle Rock median: $131,807/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Castle Rock Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $133,815 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -4.02% less |
Veterinarians in Castle Rock, CO earn a median of $131,807 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.02% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 1.50% below the Colorado state average of $133,815.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Castle Rock has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Castle Rock, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $131,807 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $125,530 — a 4.76% reduction.
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
$91,619
2025 BLS Actual
$124,865
2026 Current Est.
$131,807
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Castle Rock (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $91,619 | Actual |
| 2020 | $95,256 | Actual |
| 2021 | $96,331 | Actual |
| 2022 | $99,105 | Actual |
| 2023 | $114,308 | Actual |
| 2024 | $128,254 | Actual |
| 2025 | $124,865 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $131,807 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $139,136 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Castle Rock metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $91,619 (2019) to $124,865 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $139,136 by 2027 — a total increase of $47,517 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Castle Rock 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) | $79,049 – $105,329 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $105,329 – $131,807 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $131,807 – $165,181 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $165,181 – $204,302 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Castle Rock
The job market for veterinarians in Castle Rock currently employs 14 professionals, reflecting a localized demand for veterinary care within the community. The cost of living index stands at 105, indicating that while living expenses may be higher than the national average, the earning potential remains notable. Among the varying employer types, corporate chains such as VCA and BluePearl, which collectively represent around 25% of the market, often offer the highest salaries. Compensation discrepancies can arise from factors like specialty board certification in fields such as surgery or internal medicine, production-based incentives, and ownership opportunities within practices. New graduates may find substantial sign-on bonuses ranging from $50,000 to $150,000 in high-need areas, creating favorable conditions for negotiating higher pay. By focusing on specialization or seeking positions with corporate entities, veterinarians in Castle Rock can enhance their earning potential in this evolving market.
More salary data for Castle Rock, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinarians make in Castle Rock, CO in 2026?
Is Castle Rock, CO a good place to work as a veterinarian?
Can veterinarians make $100K in Castle Rock?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted veterinarian salary in Castle Rock?
How much does a veterinarian make per hour in Castle Rock?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Colorado
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 $124,865 for veterinariansin the Castle Rock 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 Castle Rock 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