Veterinarian Salary in Delaware: $133,702 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Delaware's 6 metropolitan areas, the average median veterinarian pay sits at $133,702/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 29-1131. Because Delaware sits at BEA RPP 101.7 (2% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $131,467 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Wilmington ($142,198), Newark ($125,585), Dover ($125,261).
In Delaware, the average median salary for veterinarians in 2026 is projected to be $133,702, which is 2.6% lower than the national median of $137,334. Within the state, there is a notable disparity in salaries between cities. Wilmington is the highest-paying city at $150,104, while Middletown presents the lowest at $123,280, showcasing a salary gap of $26,824. This difference can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, demand for veterinary services, and the concentration of pet owners in various areas. Delaware's veterinarians must navigate state-specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws, which can influence job opportunities and responsibilities. The projected job market shows a healthy growth rate, with an annual CAGR of 5.56%, indicating a steady increase in demand for veterinary services. The total number of employed veterinarians in the state is currently 39, with the top cities projected for 2026 including Newark at $132,568, Dover at $132,226, Bear at $127,866, and Smyrna at $123,611. This outlook reflects the ongoing need for veterinary care and suggests that opportunities in the field will continue to expand in Delaware.
Delaware Veterinarian Salary Range
Overall salary range in Delaware: $72,829 (lowest entry-level) to $232,662 (highest top earner)
Delaware vs National Average
Delaware veterinarians earn 2.64% less than the national median ($-3,632/year difference).
Delaware Veterinarian Salary Distribution (2026)
Veterinarian salaries in Delaware range from $78,999 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $206,724 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $133,702. The Delaware median is $3,632 below the US national median of $137,334. The average hourly rate is $64.28/hr. Approximately 39 veterinarians are employed across 6 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$116,910
2025 BLS Actual
$126,660
2026 Current Est.
$133,702
2019–2027 Growth
+20.7%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Delaware (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $116,910 | Actual |
| 2020 | $124,150 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,320 | Actual |
| 2022 | $82,370 | Actual |
| 2023 | $99,290 | Actual |
| 2024 | $120,573 | Actual |
| 2025 | $126,660 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $133,702 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $141,136 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Delaware metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 8.3% from $116,910 (2019) to $126,660 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $141,136 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,226 (20.72%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Delaware 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 Delaware
Lowest Paying Cities in Delaware
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Middletown | $123,280 |
| Smyrna | $123,611 |
| Bear | $127,866 |
| Dover | $132,226 |
| Newark | $132,568 |
Best Value Cities for Veterinarians in Delaware
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Delaware cities offer the most purchasing power for veterinarians.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington | $150,104 | 101.7 | $147,595 |
| Newark | $132,568 | 101.7 | $130,352 |
| Dover | $132,226 | 101.7 | $130,016 |
| Bear | $127,866 | 101.7 | $125,729 |
| Smyrna | $123,611 | 101.7 | $121,545 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Delaware
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $78,999 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $133,702 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $206,724 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Delaware metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 6 Cities in Delaware
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wilmington | $150,104 |
| 2 | Newark | $132,568 |
| 3 | Dover | $132,226 |
| 4 | Bear | $127,866 |
| 5 | Smyrna | $123,611 |
| 6 | Middletown | $123,280 |
More Delaware Salary Data
Explore More Veterinarian Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do veterinarians make in Delaware in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for veterinarians in Delaware?
How does Delaware veterinarian pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level veterinarian salary in Delaware?
How many veterinarians are employed in Delaware?
Which Delaware 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 Delaware. State averages are employment-weighted across 6 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