Veterinarian Salary in Wilmington, DE: $150,104 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Wilmington, DE earns a median $150,104/year (≈ $72.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Wilmington's price level (2% above national, BEA RPP 101.7), that paycheck buys what $147,595 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% above the Delaware state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Veterinarians in Wilmington, Delaware, can expect a median annual salary of $150,104 in 2026, reflecting a competitive position in the job market when compared to the national median of $137,334. The salary range here shows significant variability, from $87,061 at the 10th percentile, indicating entry-level positions, to $232,662 at the 90th percentile, offering insight into the potential earnings for highly experienced or specialized practitioners. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, which have been adjusted for the local cost of living. With a small cohort of 10 veterinarians employed in the area, Wilmington’s job market for this profession appears stable, though opportunities may lean towards those with expertise in specialty areas like surgery or internal medicine.
About the Wilmington Market
Salary estimated from Delaware average ($122,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $87,061 | $41.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $114,921 | $55.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $150,104 | $72.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $189,033 | $90.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $232,662 | $111.85 |
Median Salary Position
9.30% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wilmington
In Wilmington, DE, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $145,601 (2026 est.). At $150,104, the local median is 9.3% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wilmington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wilmington Veterinarian Pay Compares
Wilmington median: $150,104/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wilmington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware Average | $147,595 | +1.70% more |
| National Average | $137,334 | +9.30% more |
Veterinarians in Wilmington, DE earn a median of $150,104 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.30% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 1.70% above the Delaware state average of $147,595.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wilmington has a cost of living 1.70% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wilmington, DE has a cost-of-living index of 101.7 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $150,104 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $147,595 — a 1.67% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$104,337
2025 BLS Actual
$142,198
2026 Current Est.
$150,104
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Wilmington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $104,337 | Actual |
| 2020 | $108,479 | Actual |
| 2021 | $109,703 | Actual |
| 2022 | $112,862 | Actual |
| 2023 | $130,175 | Actual |
| 2024 | $124,931 | Actual |
| 2025 | $142,198 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $150,104 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $158,450 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wilmington metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $104,337 (2019) to $142,198 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $158,450 by 2027 — a total increase of $54,113 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilmington 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) | $87,061 – $114,921 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $114,921 – $150,104 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $150,104 – $189,033 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $189,033 – $232,662 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Wilmington
Evaluating the veterinarian pay in Wilmington, DE, reveals nuances influenced by local economic factors and the type of practicing environment. With a cost-of-living index of 101.7, earnings here afford slightly higher purchasing power than the national average. Veterinary practices like corporate chains, such as VCA and BluePearl, command a notable share of the market and often offer higher salaries, while independent practices may exhibit variations in pay, often reliant on production-based compensation models. The difference between lower and higher salaries can often be attributed to specialty certifications in fields like emergency care or internal medicine, with those holding such credentials typically earning two to three times more than general practitioners. For veterinarians looking to maximize their income in Wilmington, focusing on developing specialized skills and considering corporate rather than independent roles could prove advantageous, especially when factoring in potential sign-on bonuses significantly enhancing overall compensation.
More salary data for Wilmington, 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 $142,198 for veterinariansin the Wilmington 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 Wilmington 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