Veterinarian Salary in Littleton, CO: $127,120 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Littleton, CO earns a median $127,120/year (≈ $61.12/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Littleton's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 105.0), that paycheck buys what $121,067 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.0% below the Colorado state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, veterinarians in Littleton, Colorado, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $127,120. This position's income can range significantly from $75,861 at the lower end to $197,035 for those at the highest pay scales, revealing the income potential that varies based on experience, specialization, and practice type. It's crucial to consider that these figures reflect local estimates based on 2025 BLS data, taking into account regional cost adjustments. Given the ongoing trends in veterinary medicine and the increasing demand for specialized services, the job market for veterinarians in Littleton remains competitive and lucrative, particularly for those with board certifications in fields such as surgery, internal medicine, or emergency critical care.
About the Littleton Market
Salary estimated from Colorado average ($124,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $75,861 | $36.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $100,725 | $48.43 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $127,120 | $61.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $162,259 | $78.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $197,035 | $94.73 |
Median Salary Position
7.44% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Littleton
In Littleton, CO, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $121,174 (2026 est.). At $127,120, the local median is 7.44% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Littleton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Littleton Veterinarian Pay Compares
Littleton median: $127,120/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Littleton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $133,810 | -5.00% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -7.44% less |
Veterinarians in Littleton, CO earn a median of $127,120 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.44% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 5.00% below the Colorado state average of $133,810.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Littleton has a cost of living 5.00% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Littleton, CO has a cost-of-living index of 105 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $127,120 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $121,067 — 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
$88,360
2025 BLS Actual
$120,424
2026 Current Est.
$127,120
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Littleton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $88,360 | Actual |
| 2020 | $91,868 | Actual |
| 2021 | $92,905 | Actual |
| 2022 | $95,580 | Actual |
| 2023 | $110,242 | Actual |
| 2024 | $123,692 | Actual |
| 2025 | $120,424 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $127,120 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $134,187 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Littleton metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $88,360 (2019) to $120,424 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $134,187 by 2027 — a total increase of $45,827 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Littleton 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) | $75,861 – $100,725 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $100,725 – $127,120 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $127,120 – $162,259 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $162,259 – $197,035 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Littleton
The local veterinary job market in Littleton comprises a small workforce, with only seven veterinarians currently employed in the area. The cost-of-living index of 105 suggests that living expenses are slightly above the national average, impacting take-home purchasing power for veterinarians in the region. Among the various practice settings, corporate chains like VCA and BluePearl tend to offer more competitive salaries, while independent practices may provide other benefits such as better work-life balance. Compensation disparities in Littleton stem from factors like board certification, which can significantly enhance earning potential, alongside production-based compensation models that reward veterinarians for revenue generation. Those looking for optimal pay should consider specializing, aligning with corporate practices, or exploring ownership opportunities, as the job market adapts to meet the evolving needs of the community within this unique Denver suburb.
More salary data for Littleton, CO:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinarians make in Littleton, CO in 2026?
Is Littleton, CO a good place to work as a veterinarian?
Can veterinarians make $100K in Littleton?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted veterinarian salary in Littleton?
How much does a veterinarian make per hour in Littleton?
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 $120,424 for veterinariansin the Littleton 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 Littleton 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