Veterinarian Salary in Middletown, DE: $123,280 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Middletown, DE earns a median $123,280/year (≈ $59.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Middletown's price level (2% above national, BEA RPP 101.7), that paycheck buys what $121,219 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.6% below the Delaware state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, veterinarians in Middletown, Delaware can expect to earn a median annual salary of $123,280, reflecting the area's unique position in the veterinary job market. Salaries in the region span a wide spectrum, with figures ranging from $72,829 at the 10th percentile to $191,085 at the 90th percentile. These estimates are informed by state-level data and are adjusted to account for regional cost differences. With the demand for specialized services increasing, those with board certifications in surgery, internal medicine, or emergency care can command significantly higher wages, which showcases the increasing specialization within the field and the competitive dynamics in Middletown's veterinary services.
About the Middletown Market
Salary estimated from Delaware average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $72,829 | $35.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $96,983 | $46.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $123,280 | $59.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $152,611 | $73.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $191,085 | $91.87 |
Median Salary Position
10.23% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Middletown
In Middletown, DE, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $118,256 (2026 est.). At $123,280, the local median is 10.23% below the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Middletown: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Middletown Veterinarian Pay Compares
Middletown median: $123,280/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Middletown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware Average | $133,420 | -7.60% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | -10.23% less |
Veterinarians in Middletown, DE earn a median of $123,280 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.23% lower than the national median of $137,334 and 7.60% below the Delaware state average of $133,420.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Middletown has a cost of living 1.70% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Middletown, DE has a cost-of-living index of 101.7 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $123,280 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $121,219 — a 1.67% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$85,692
2025 BLS Actual
$116,787
2026 Current Est.
$123,280
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Middletown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $85,692 | Actual |
| 2020 | $89,094 | Actual |
| 2021 | $90,099 | Actual |
| 2022 | $92,694 | Actual |
| 2023 | $106,913 | Actual |
| 2024 | $114,638 | Actual |
| 2025 | $116,787 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $123,280 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $130,135 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Middletown metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $85,692 (2019) to $116,787 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $130,135 by 2027 — a total increase of $44,443 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Middletown 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) | $72,829 – $96,983 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $96,983 – $123,280 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $123,280 – $152,611 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $152,611 – $191,085 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Middletown
The local veterinary job market employs a small cadre of just six veterinarians, suggesting that while opportunities may be limited, competition can drive salaries upwards, particularly among corporate entities like VCA and BluePearl. The cost of living in Middletown, with a cost-of-living index of 101.7, indicates that although salaries are comparatively lower than the national average, the purchasing power may still be adequate for residents. Employers in the area who pay the best typically include corporate and specialty practices, contrasting with independent clinics, which may offer lower compensation but a different work-life balance. Factors such as specialty board certifications and production-based pay models influence the significant variance in salaries, with new graduates currently drawing sizable sign-on bonuses in critical need areas. For veterinarians in Middletown DE, positioning oneself within a corporate structure or pursuing specialty training presents promising strategies for maximizing overall compensation.
More salary data for Middletown, DE:
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 $116,787 for veterinariansin the Middletown 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 Middletown 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