Veterinarian Salary in Colorado Springs, CO: $133,840 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Colorado Springs, CO earns a median $133,840/year (≈ $64.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Colorado Springs's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.7), that paycheck buys what $132,900 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Colorado state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $133,840 in 2026, veterinarians in Colorado Springs, CO, are positioned competitively within the market, reflecting only a slight dip of 2.54% from the national median of $137,334. Salary expectations vary widely, ranging from $81,672 at the 10th percentile to $214,012 at the 90th percentile, based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and projected through 2026. This spectrum showcases the potential for specialty board-certified veterinarians, particularly in areas such as surgery, internal medicine, and emergency care, to command significantly higher compensation. As the market evolves, this differentiation in pay emphasizes the importance for professionals to consider the benefits of advanced training and specialization.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $81,672 | $39.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $111,028 | $53.38 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $133,840 | $64.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $166,542 | $80.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $214,012 | $102.89 |
Median Salary Position
2.54% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Colorado Springs
In Colorado Springs, CO, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $132,340 (2026 est.). At $133,840, the local median is 2.54% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Colorado Springs: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Colorado Springs Veterinarian Pay Compares
Colorado Springs median: $133,840/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Colorado Springs Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $137,334 | -2.54% less |
Veterinarians in Colorado Springs, CO earn a median of $133,840 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.54% lower than the national median of $137,334.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Colorado Springs has a cost of living 0.71% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Colorado Springs, CO has a cost-of-living index of 100.707 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $133,840 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $132,900 — a 0.7% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$76,440
2025 BLS Actual
$126,790
2026 Current Est.
$133,840
2019–2027 Growth
+84.8%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Colorado Springs (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $76,440 | Actual |
| 2020 | $78,160 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,910 | Actual |
| 2022 | $92,160 | Actual |
| 2023 | $100,150 | Actual |
| 2024 | $103,930 | Actual |
| 2025 | $126,790 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $133,840 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $141,281 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Colorado Springs metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 65.9% from $76,440 (2019) to $126,790 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $141,281 by 2027 — a total increase of $64,841 (84.83%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Colorado Springs 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) | $81,672 – $111,028 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $111,028 – $133,840 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $133,840 – $166,542 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $166,542 – $214,012 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Colorado Springs
Currently, the demand for veterinarians in Colorado Springs is strong, with around 280 professionals currently employed in the area. The cost of living index here stands at 100.707, slightly above the national average, which affects take-home purchasing power and should be factored into salary negotiations. Among local employers, corporate chain clinics like VCA, BluePearl, and NVA tend to offer competitive pay, attracting approximately 25% of the market. The variations in salaries stem from factors such as specialty certifications, production-based compensation structures, sign-on bonuses ranging between $50,000 and $150,000 for new graduates, and the distinction between corporate and independent practice settings. To maximize earnings, veterinarians in Colorado Springs might consider seeking roles within specialty referral hospitals or corporate chains, or investing in advanced certifications to elevate their market value.
More salary data for Colorado Springs, CO:
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 $126,790 for veterinariansin the Colorado Springs 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