Veterinarian Salary in Fort Collins, CO: $118,702 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Fort Collins, CO earns a median $118,702/year (≈ $57.07/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Fort Collins's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 101.1), that paycheck buys what $117,378 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.3% below the Colorado state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Veterinarians in Fort Collins, Colorado, can anticipate a competitive salary trajectory, with a median annual compensation estimated at $118,702 for 2026. This salary reflects the effective production-based compensation model prevalent in the field, where a veterinarian's earnings can directly correlate with the revenue they generate for their practice. The salary range for this profession is notable, spanning from $43,712 at the 10th percentile to $172,971 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, illustrate the potential for earnings across various practice settings and levels of expertise. Despite this positive outlook, it's essential to consider that Fort Collins's veterinarian pay remains approximately 13.57% lower than the national median of $137,334, a factor that may influence job seekers and existing professionals alike in this urban market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,712 | $21.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $82,178 | $39.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $118,702 | $57.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $145,018 | $69.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $172,971 | $83.16 |
Median Salary Position
13.57% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fort Collins
In Fort Collins, CO, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $129,259 (2026 est.). At $118,702, the local median is 13.57% below the national median of $137,334.
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At 40 hours/week in Fort Collins: You'd be above the median
How Fort Collins Veterinarian Pay Compares
Fort Collins median: $118,702/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fort Collins Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $133,824 | -11.30% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -13.57% less |
Veterinarians in Fort Collins, CO earn a median of $118,702 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.57% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 11.30% below the Colorado state average of $133,824.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fort Collins has a cost of living 1.13% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fort Collins, CO has a cost-of-living index of 101.128 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $118,702 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $117,378 — a 1.12% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$87,730
2025 BLS Actual
$112,450
2026 Current Est.
$118,702
2019–2027 Growth
+42.8%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Fort Collins (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $87,730 | Actual |
| 2020 | $95,310 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,520 | Actual |
| 2022 | $93,180 | Actual |
| 2023 | $100,690 | Actual |
| 2024 | $102,670 | Actual |
| 2025 | $112,450 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $118,702 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $125,302 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fort Collins metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 28.2% from $87,730 (2019) to $112,450 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $125,302 by 2027 — a total increase of $37,572 (42.83%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fort Collins 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) | $43,712 – $82,178 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $82,178 – $118,702 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $118,702 – $145,018 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $145,018 – $172,971 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Fort Collins
In terms of the local job market, Fort Collins employs around 300 veterinarians, providing a robust environment for new grads and seasoned professionals. However, the cost-of-living index at 101.128 indicates that while salaries are competitive, they must be evaluated against housing and general living expenses in the area. Large animal and equine practices, as well as specialty referral hospitals, typically offer the highest salaries among local employers. The pay disparity often stems from various factors, including the level of specialty board certification in fields like surgery or internal medicine and production-based compensation structures. Practices associated with corporate entities, such as VCA and BluePearl, may provide sign-on bonuses that range between $50,000 and $150,000, particularly in underserved areas. For veterinarians looking to maximize their earnings in Fort Collins, pursuing specialty training, engaging in practice ownership, or joining corporate practices could yield significant financial benefits while navigating an evolving industry landscape.
More salary data for Fort Collins, 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 $112,450 for veterinariansin the Fort Collins 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