Veterinarian Salary in Hilo, HI: $155,472 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time veterinarian in Hilo, HI earns a median $155,472/year (≈ $74.75/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 29-1131). Once you factor in Hilo's price level (19% above national, BEA RPP 119.3), that paycheck buys what $130,320 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the Hawaii state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Veterinarians in Hilo, Hawaii, can expect a median annual salary of $155,472 in 2026, reflecting a significant uplift over the national median of $137,334. The salary range for this role is quite broad, spanning from $92,494 at the 10th percentile to an impressive $240,982 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the potential for substantial earning power, especially for those with specialty board certifications in areas like surgery, internal medicine, or emergency critical care. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, which factored in regional price adjustments. Given the competitive job market, potential candidates may want to consider the demand for specialized veterinary services in the area as a key factor in their earning potential.
About the Hilo Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($132,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $92,494 | $44.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $122,978 | $59.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $155,472 | $74.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $198,243 | $95.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $240,982 | $115.85 |
Median Salary Position
13.21% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Hilo
In Hilo, HI, the veterinarian salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $148,488 (2026 est.). At $155,472, the local median is 13.21% above the national median of $137,334.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Hilo: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Hilo Veterinarian Pay Compares
Hilo median: $155,472/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Hilo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Average | $163,827 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $137,334 | +13.21% more |
Veterinarians in Hilo, HI earn a median of $155,472 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.21% higher than the national median of $137,334 and 5.10% below the Hawaii state average of $163,827.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Hilo has a cost of living 19.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Hilo, HI has a cost-of-living index of 119.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $155,472 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $130,320 — a 16.18% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$108,068
2025 BLS Actual
$147,283
2026 Current Est.
$155,472
2019–2027 Growth
+51.9%
Salary Trajectory for Veterinarians in Hilo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 5.56% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $108,068 | Actual |
| 2020 | $112,358 | Actual |
| 2021 | $113,626 | Actual |
| 2022 | $116,898 | Actual |
| 2023 | $134,830 | Actual |
| 2024 | $149,434 | Actual |
| 2025 | $147,283 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $155,472 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $164,116 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hilo metropolitan area, the median veterinarian salary grew 36.3% from $108,068 (2019) to $147,283 (2025). At a 5.56% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $164,116 by 2027 — a total increase of $56,048 (51.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hilo 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) | $92,494 – $122,978 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $122,978 – $155,472 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $155,472 – $198,243 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $198,243 – $240,982 |
DVM salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual veterinarian compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Veterinarian Job Market in Hilo
The job market in Hilo currently employs seven veterinarians, suggesting a relatively niche environment that could benefit professionals looking to differentiate themselves through specialty certifications. The cost-of-living index in Hilo stands at 119.3, indicating that while salaries may be higher than the national average, the increased living expenses could impact overall purchasing power. Among employers in Hilo, corporate practices like VCA or BluePearl, which make up approximately 25% of the market, typically offer higher compensation than independent clinics, largely due to their established corporate pay structures and production-based compensation models. Factors such as ownership equity, sign-on bonuses, and specialization can drive wage disparities. To maximize their veterinarian pay in Hilo, professionals should focus on gaining experience in high-demand specialties and consider corporate positions that offer robust benefits and performance-based incentives.
More salary data for Hilo, HI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can veterinarians make $100K in Hilo?
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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 $147,283 for veterinariansin the Hilo 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 Hilo 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