Veterinarian Salary in Connecticut: $134,527 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Connecticut's 29 metropolitan areas, the average median veterinarian pay sits at $134,527/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1131. Because Connecticut sits at BEA RPP 107.9 (8% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $124,677 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Shelton ($134,760), Waterbury ($132,030), Bridgeport ($129,940).
In 2026, veterinarians in Connecticut are projected to earn an average median salary of $134,527, which is slightly below the national median of $137,334, indicating a variance of -2.0%. The highest paying city in the state is Shelton, with salaries reaching $142,253, while Cheshire reports the lowest at $128,570, creating a salary gap of $13,683. This disparity is driven by factors such as the local cost of living, demand for veterinary services, and the specific economic conditions in these areas. Connecticut has specific state licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that may influence the landscape for veterinarians. For instance, veterinarians must meet rigorous standards for education and testing, which can affect the overall job market dynamics. With a total of 1,130 veterinarians employed in the state and a projected annual growth rate of 5.56%, the job outlook remains positive. Other cities reflecting strong salary potential include Waterbury at $139,371, Bridgeport at $137,165, Manchester at $135,806, and Stamford at $135,327. Overall, these factors combine to shape a promising environment for veterinary professionals in Connecticut.
Connecticut Veterinarian Salary Range
Overall salary range in Connecticut: $47,639 (lowest entry-level) to $309,217 (highest top earner)
Connecticut vs National Average
Connecticut veterinarians earn 2.04% less than the national median ($-2,807/year difference).
Connecticut Veterinarian Salary Distribution (2026)
Veterinarian salaries in Connecticut range from $63,449 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $231,766 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $134,527. The Connecticut median is $2,807 below the US national median of $137,334. The average hourly rate is $64.68/hr. Approximately 1,130 veterinarians are employed across 29 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$105,167
2025 BLS Actual
$127,441
2026 Current Est.
$134,527
2019–2027 Growth
+35.0%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Connecticut (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $105,167 | Actual |
| 2020 | $104,910 | Actual |
| 2021 | $110,747 | Actual |
| 2022 | $127,701 | Actual |
| 2023 | $126,654 | Actual |
| 2024 | $136,058 | Actual |
| 2025 | $127,441 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $134,527 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $142,006 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Connecticut metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 21.2% from $105,167 (2019) to $127,441 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $142,006 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,839 (35.03%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Connecticut 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Connecticut
Lowest Paying Cities in Connecticut
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Cheshire | $128,570 |
| Enfield | $128,857 |
| Naugatuck | $129,040 |
| West Hartford | $129,551 |
| Glastonbury | $129,959 |
Best Value Cities for Veterinarians in Connecticut
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Connecticut cities offer the most purchasing power for veterinarians.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waterbury | $139,371 | 99.778 | $139,681 |
| Norwich | $132,858 | 100.445 | $132,269 |
| Shelton | $142,253 | 107.9 | $131,838 |
| Hartford | $132,742 | 102.746 | $129,194 |
| New Haven | $134,663 | 104.559 | $128,791 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Connecticut
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $63,449 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $134,527 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $231,766 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Connecticut metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 29 Cities in Connecticut
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shelton | $142,253 |
| 2 | Waterbury | $139,371 |
| 3 | Bridgeport | $137,165 |
| 4 | Manchester | $135,806 |
| 5 | Stamford | $135,327 |
| 6 | New Haven | $134,663 |
| 7 | Danbury | $134,296 |
| 8 | Norwalk | $134,015 |
| 9 | Bristol | $133,588 |
| 10 | Stratford | $133,396 |
| 11 | Middletown | $133,230 |
| 12 | Meriden | $132,949 |
| 13 | Norwich | $132,858 |
| 14 | Hartford | $132,742 |
| 15 | Hamden | $132,511 |
| 16 | Fairfield | $132,416 |
| 17 | New Britain | $132,266 |
| 18 | New London | $131,917 |
| 19 | Milford | $131,668 |
| 20 | West Haven | $131,615 |
| 21 | Torrington | $130,974 |
| 22 | Groton | $130,534 |
| 23 | East Hartford | $130,464 |
| 24 | Vernon | $130,001 |
| 25 | Glastonbury | $129,959 |
| 26 | West Hartford | $129,551 |
| 27 | Naugatuck | $129,040 |
| 28 | Enfield | $128,857 |
| 29 | Cheshire | $128,570 |
More Connecticut Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced veterinarians.
Explore More Veterinarian Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinarians make in Connecticut in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for veterinarians in Connecticut?
How does Connecticut veterinarian pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level veterinarian salary in Connecticut?
How many veterinarians are employed in Connecticut?
Which Connecticut city offers the best value for veterinarians?
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
Statewide 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. A 5.56% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 veterinarian compensation across Connecticut. State averages are employment-weighted across 29 metro areas — larger metro areas with more veterinarianscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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